Many people have heard about asbestos but don’t actually know much about it at all. Even those who may have worked with this dangerous substance often have not researched exactly what it is and why exposure to it can be consequential. Asbestos receives some attention from the news media and from workplace safety advocates because it is a known human carcinogen, but individuals are not provided with important information about this substance far, far too often.
Those who are familiar with asbestos may be in a better position to protect themselves from illness and/or advocate for themselves or a loved one after receiving a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness.
What exactly is asbestos?
Asbestos is the common term for a mineral substance found naturally throughout the Earth’s crust. These minerals share the properties of being resistant to both heat and corrosion, which is made them useful and many industrial applications historically.
Unfortunately, when small amounts of asbestos become airborne, humans inhale them. Asbestos fibers trapped in the lungs can cause inflammation as well as cancer. Asbestos comes in numerous different forms:
- actinolite
- amosite
- anthophyllite
- chrysotile
- crocidolite
- tremolite
Chrysotile or white asbestos is the most common form, but businesses import and use several other types as well to make different products, from brake pads to water sanitization chemicals.
What illnesses does asbestos cause?
Mesothelioma is the cancer with the strongest association with asbestos. Those exposed to asbestos can fall ill several decades later because of mesothelioma. This form of cancer begins in the organ linings and eventually spreads to the rest of the body.
Many people, especially those who smoke, may have an increased risk of lung cancer after asbestos exposure. It also has a link with ovarian cancer and larynx cancer. People may also develop asbestosis and other respiratory conditions because of asbestos exposure on the job.
What protects people from asbestos exposure?
Improved workplace safety regulations now establish that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Companies should disclose exposure to workers and take steps to protect them from exposure and illness. Those exposed before such safety standards were in place may have grounds to bring a claim against their employer or possibly an asbestos bankruptcy trust for compensation after a diagnosis of an asbestos-related medical condition.
Learning more about asbestos and the diseases it may cause can benefit those who have worked with this dangerous substance. Similarly, seeking legal guidance can help those who have been made ill as a result of this substance as well.