How is asbestos harmful

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Order Yours Now. Find a Doctor Dr. David Sugarbaker Dr. Paul Sugarbaker Dr. Get Help Now. Asbestos Cancer Lung Cancer. Read More. Understanding Degrees of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos-related diseases kill thousands of Americans every year.

Short-Term Exposure Fast Facts Light, short-term exposure rarely causes disease A one-off exposure from do-it-yourself renovation is not a major risk Asbestos exposure is cumulative, so short-term exposures can add up Disasters may cause extreme asbestos-exposure events.

Free Mesothelioma Guide Our latest guide for patients and loved ones is shipped overnight and includes treatment information, legal resources, mesothelioma books and support wristbands. Get Yours Now. Was the asbestos-containing product damaged or crumbly? Toll Free Stages Stage 4 Symptoms Causes Diagnosis.

Order Yours Now. Find a Doctor Dr. David Sugarbaker Dr. Paul Sugarbaker Dr. Get Help Now. Asbestos Cancer Lung Cancer. Read More. What Is Asbestos? Types of Asbestos The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of legally recognizes six types of asbestos that fall into two categories: Amphibole and serpentine.

Crocidolite Amosite Anthophyllite Tremolite Actinolite. This sample from Canada shows the curly structure of chrysotile asbestos. Where Does Asbestos Come From? Asbestos-Related Diseases Scientific studies show exposure to asbestos is linked to several diseases, including cancers.

Find Specialized Treatment Asbestos-related diseases require specialized treatment from experienced doctors. Connect with a Top Doctor. Asbestos Exposure Risks No amount of asbestos exposure is safe, but asbestos generally has the worst effects when a person is exposed to an intense concentration of it, or they are exposed on a regular basis over a long period of time.

Fast Fact Occupational asbestos exposure is the No. Learn about the latest mesothelioma treatments, how to find top doctors and clinical trial eligibility in your free guide. Get Your Free Treatment Guide. Asbestos Products When Americans are exposed to asbestos today, it is usually through renovation or demolition work on an old building that still contains legacy asbestos products. Discontinued asbestos products Vinyl asbestos tiles Asbestos cement Asbestos roofing felt Asbestos adhesives, sealants and coatings Asbestos reinforced plastics.

Learn More About Asbestos Products. Pittsburgh Corning Armstrong World Industries. Learn More About Asbestos Companies. How to Identify Asbestos Products Microscopic asbestos fibers cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Asbestos materials fall into two risk categories:.

Friable asbestos materials Friable asbestos materials are easy to break or crumble by hand. Examples include old asbestos pipe insulation and talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. These materials are dangerous because they can easily release toxic dust into the air. Nonfriable asbestos materials Nonfriable asbestos materials, such as asbestos cement slabs and vinyl asbestos tiles, are durable.

These products keep asbestos fibers safely trapped as long as the products are undisturbed. Sawing, scraping or smashing the product may release fibers. Tips for Safely Handling Asbestos Some situations require the removal of asbestos-containing materials. If you are considering DIY asbestos abatement, remember the following precautions: Seal off the work area with plastic sheets and turn off the air conditioning.

Wear a respirator with a high efficiency particulate air HEPA filter. Wear disposable coveralls and gloves during asbestos abatement. Use a pump sprayer to keep asbestos materials wet and suppress dust at all times. Clean the work area with wet wipes or a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Dispose of asbestos waste in clearly labeled bags at a landfill that can accept asbestos. Is Asbestos Banned? Safe Alternative to Asbestos Since the s, manufacturers in the United States have largely phased out the use of asbestos, relying instead on several safer substitutes.

The chest x-ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. Although chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure 2. A lung biopsy, which detects microscopic asbestos fibers in pieces of lung tissue removed by surgery , is the most reliable test to confirm exposure to asbestos 2.

A bronchoscopy is a less invasive test than a biopsy and detects asbestos fibers in material that is rinsed out of the lungs 2. It is important to note that these procedures cannot determine how much asbestos an individual may have been exposed to or whether disease will develop.

Department of Labor DOL and is the Federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces.

OSHA established regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job, specifically in construction work, shipyards, and general industry, that employers are required to follow. Workers should use all protective equipment provided by their employers and follow recommended workplace practices and safety procedures.

Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their employers. If necessary, OSHA can provide more information or make an inspection. Mine workers can contact MSHA at:. NIOSH conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations.

In addition, NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted at:. Some people with asbestos-related illness may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Department of Labor DOL website. Benefits include wage replacement, payment for medical care, and, where necessary, medical and vocational rehabilitation assistance in returning to work.

Information about eligibility and how to file a claim for benefits under either of these programs is available from:. Veterans can receive treatment for service-connected and nonservice-connected medical conditions.

This agency works in close collaboration with local, state, and other Federal agencies, with tribal governments, and with communities and local health care providers to help prevent or reduce harmful human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances.

The ATSDR provides information about asbestos and where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. The U. The Asbestos Ombudsman focuses on asbestos in schools and handles questions and complaints. Both the TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos Ombudsman can provide publications on a number of topics, particularly on controlling asbestos exposure in schools and other buildings. The Ombudsman operates a toll-free hotline for small businesses, trade associations, and others seeking free, confidential help.

Questions may be directed to:. Released in April , this brochure includes work practices for both automotive professionals and home mechanics that may be used to avoid asbestos exposure. It also summarizes existing OSHA regulatory requirements for professional auto mechanics.

The CPSC maintains a toll-free hour hotline where callers can obtain product safety and other agency information and report unsafe products. In addition, CPSC publications provide guidelines for repairing and removing asbestos, and general information about asbestos in the home. CPSC can be contacted at:. Office of Information and Public Affairs U.

Individuals can also contact their local or state health department with questions or concerns about asbestos. Menu Contact Dictionary Search. Understanding Cancer. What Is Cancer? Cancer Statistics. Cancer Disparities. Cancer Causes and Prevention. Risk Factors. Cancer Prevention Overview. Cancer Screening Overview. Screening Tests. Diagnosis and Staging. Questions to Ask about Your Diagnosis.

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Feelings and Cancer. Adjusting to Cancer. Day-to-Day Life. Support for Caregivers. Questions to Ask About Cancer. Choices for Care. Talking about Your Advanced Cancer. Planning for Advanced Cancer. Advanced Cancer and Caregivers. About asbestos Asbestos was commonly used in: cement sheeting fibro drainage and flue pipes roofing, guttering and flexible building boards eg Villaboard, Hardiflex, etc. Similar cement sheeting products are used today, but are 'asbestos free' brakes, clutches and gaskets.

How can asbestos affect my health? When does asbestos pose a risk to health? Different forms of asbestos material, different risk levels If asbestos fibres are in a stable material such as bonded in asbestos-cement sheeting such as fibro and in good condition they pose little health risk. Precautions Do not disturb soil or any other material thought to be contaminated with asbestos fibres.

Further information Further advice concerning the health risks of asbestos can be obtained from your local public health unit on Current as at: Friday 11 August Contact page owner: Environmental Health.