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At some point in your life, you will experience asbestos exposure. Small doses of asbestos are floating around in the air, it can also be found in soil and water.
You are only likely to become afflicted by asbestos exposure if you are in contact with it regularly. If you are in an occupation in which you are directly in contact with asbestos that is when you need to be aware of its dangers and how to avoid them.
Asbestos is the term labelled to a group of minerals, these minerals consist of bundles of fibres that can be divided into thin, sturdy threads. These fibres are tolerable to fire, heat and chemicals and do not conduct electricity.
If asbestos is such a hazardous material, it’s only natural to wonder why it was ever used in the first place.
Asbestos awareness has evolved and the more we have understood this substance, we have come to recognise the serious health risks it poses.
Asbestos was originally used for its beneficial properties such as its durability and affordability. Construction workers used it for years for bolstering plastics and cement, insulating, soundproofing and also fireproofing.
People have also used asbestos in the past for boilers, pipes, ceilings, floors and in older buildings but have since learned disturbing asbestos can be dangerous.
There are three types of asbestos exposure: occupational, secondary and environmental exposure.
Occupational exposure is coming into contact with asbestos while working. Those who work in old construction sites, power plant and shipyards or anywhere of a similar environment are all likely to have come in contact with disturbed asbestos.
Secondary exposure spreads through contact with another person. This could occur through clothing or the skin and hair of a person who works with asbestos.
Finally, environmental asbestos exposure is an indirect intake of asbestos. The weather can disturb a natural asbestos deposit which will then pollute the air and soil around it.
Different asbestos types (such as chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite) have varying degrees of toxicity. Some may pose higher risks than others.
Asbestos exposure may not affect you immediately. It can take up to 10, sometimes even 50 years for it to show any symptoms of an asbestos releated disease.
It all varies on the frequency and intensity of exposure and your susceptibility. Regardless of this, it is highly recommended to stay away from areas and buildings you know contain asbestos.
Yes, if you are exposed to asbestos just once it could be harmful to your health. No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe, so you should avoid this toxic substance at all costs.
If you feel as though you might have already been exposed to this harmful substance it is important to contact a GP or health care professional.
Preventing asbestos exposure involves various stakeholders, including governmental agencies, employers, and individuals. Here’s a breakdown of who is responsible:
Government agencies enforce standards for workplace safety, including asbestos regulations on exposure in construction and manufacturing. They have laws in place surrounding the removal and disposal of asbestos in buildings.
In places of work, employers hold a duty of care which includes identifying and managing asbestos hazards. For those who work in industries like construction, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure employees receive the correct training if working alongside asbestos.
Both Contractors and Asbestos Abatement Companies must complete the necessary asbestos training before performing work and removal. They must comply with the laws surrounding asbestos and the disposing of asbestos whilst carrying out their roles.
Building Owners and Managers have the responsibility of conducting asbestos surveys and implementing management plans for any identified asbestos.
Prolonged asbestos exposure without essential health and safety training puts you at high risk of developing a serious diseases.
Let’s take a look at the diseases related to asbestos and identify the symptoms to look out for.
Asbestos-related lung cancer is identical in appearance to lung cancer. Fumes caused by smoking look very similar. There is approximately one lung cancer death for every mesothelioma death that occurs.
Symptoms of Asbestos lung cancer include:
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which affects the lining around the lower digestive tract and the lining of the lungs. It is particularly related to asbestos exposure and is almost always fatal.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma include:
Pleural thickening is in most cases a problem that occurs from heavy exposure to asbestos. The disease thickens and swells the lung’s lining. As it gets worse the lung begins to squeeze which consequently causes shortness of breath and discomfort.
Asbestosis is a serious condition that takes its toll over many years. The disease causes scars to the lungs and as a result, it can cause shortness of breath; in serious cases, it can be fatal.
Other symptoms of Asbestosis include:
The best way to avoid asbestos exposure is to know where it is and don’t disturb it. The UKATA Asbestos Awareness is a training course designed to give you the relevant knowledge to identify and prevent asbestos exposure.
With the information gained from the course, you will, therefore, be able to comply with the regulations surrounding asbestos. You will also be able to implement the relevant safety procedures if you come into unwanted contact with it.
We also offer the UKATA Asbestos Awareness Online Course for those looking to understand the risks and dangers associated with asbestos containing materials whilst completing the eLearning from anywhere at anytime.
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