For many years, asbestos was a common material to be used within the building industry and so it can still be found in old buildings to this day - and is very often found during a home inspection.
However, research and many studies now tell us the dangers that can come with this. By breathing in asbestos fibers, one would be at risk of lung cancer; the form of cancer in question, mesothelioma, affects the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the chest. In addition to this, asbestosis is another problem which scars the lungs with fibrous tissue.
Depending on the amount of fibers inhaled, this will decide the risk of developing said cancers but the problem is made even worse for people who smoke. Typically, those who develop asbestosis are those who have spent many years around asbestos in factories and maybe even shipyards. Because symptoms can take up to 30 years to show, there is no way to tell that the problem has occurred until very late.
For people who are only exposed a small amount, the risk is very small. With that being said, an inhalation of any fibers coming from disturbed asbestos can lead to health issues. When the fibers are inhaled, they tend to sit on the lungs where they remain. When untouched, asbestos is not as dangerous as it is when cut, pulled apart, or sanded down into a powder.
However, research and many studies now tell us the dangers that can come with this. By breathing in asbestos fibers, one would be at risk of lung cancer; the form of cancer in question, mesothelioma, affects the abdominal cavity as well as the lining of the chest. In addition to this, asbestosis is another problem which scars the lungs with fibrous tissue.
Depending on the amount of fibers inhaled, this will decide the risk of developing said cancers but the problem is made even worse for people who smoke. Typically, those who develop asbestosis are those who have spent many years around asbestos in factories and maybe even shipyards. Because symptoms can take up to 30 years to show, there is no way to tell that the problem has occurred until very late.
For people who are only exposed a small amount, the risk is very small. With that being said, an inhalation of any fibers coming from disturbed asbestos can lead to health issues. When the fibers are inhaled, they tend to sit on the lungs where they remain. When untouched, asbestos is not as dangerous as it is when cut, pulled apart, or sanded down into a powder.
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