Discover 5 facts about asbestos. Keep yourself healthy.

Asbestos may be hidden in older houses and buildings, but it still exists. Knowing about this toxin is essential.

1. Many products still contain asbestos. These products are found in new structures most often. Asbestos is used to make products heat-resistant. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulator, fireproofing, and building material. It is also applied to structural steel beams, crawlspaces, and walls. The items above are the products that contain asbestos today.
2. Only when it is disturbed does asbestos become hazardous. “Friable” describes asbestos that can be crumbled or pulverized with hand pressure. Friable asbestos can enter your lungs when you breathe, which causes disease. These are the fibrous, fluffy, sprayed-on materials used in insulating, fireproofing, and soundproofing. Non friable materials, such as floor tile and roofing felt, seldom produce airborne fibers. The danger to you comes from creating dust or inhaling asbestos fibers. Conduct your renovations using licensed professionals who meet stringent specifications and safety protocols. Do not try to discard asbestos on your own.
3. Asbestos exposure could take decades to produce symptoms. There are links between inhaling asbestos fibers and the development of various diseases. Mesothelioma and asbestosis are common asbestos-related diseases. Exposure is the greater risk for disease onset. Asbestosis is a non-malignant, but often fatal, respiratory disease caused by asbestos scarring in the lungs. Heart issues and pain can occur from the scarring. Approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. It causes a tumor that spreads throughout the lungs’ tissue. Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Many people with these conditions don’t even know they have it.
4. Asbestos fibers can remain in the human body if inhaled or ingested. Many toxins cannot be “flushed out.” Asbestos fibers are microscopic, and as a result, they can penetrate outward through the membrane that covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity. Swallowed fibers can also enter the stomach. Nothing can remove the fibers from the body because they are needle-like. Always wear the appropriate respiratory protection and personal protective equipment when dealing with asbestos.
5. Asbestos is still mined and exported elsewhere. Asbestos is a commodity in countries such as Greece, Canada, Russia, Italy, China, and India. Asbestos use is common in many of these countries. Asbestos is cheap and therefore found on construction sites in developing countries.

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Source: Asbestos.net