Why is Asbestos Exposure Dangerous?
Asbestos exposure can be dangerous if it is not managed effectively. Asbestos is considered to be dangerous because of the high risk of disease associated with breathing in asbestos fibres. The most recent figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) state that there are currently around 4,000 people dying of asbestos exposure related disease every year in the UK alone. This figure is expected to rise over the next few years, with a peak of over 5,000 deaths per year. The HSE also states that asbestos exposure is currently the largest cause of work-related deaths.
The danger from asbestos exposure comes from the properties which made it desirable to use in buildings. It is made up of tiny, flexible fibres which are easily breathed in, and once in the lungs they are stuck there. These fibres are very resilient, able to resist being broken down and destroyed by the body’s defences for decades. Although most asbestos products are safe when they are in good condition, damage causes the fibres to be released into the air and increases the risk of them being ingested by people working or living nearby.
There are 3 diseases associated with exposure to asbestos. The first of these, asbestosis, is usually associated with exposure to white asbestos and is a chronic condition which affects the efficiency of the lungs. It has a slow, gradual onset and may not develop until 15-30 years after asbestos exposure. It is not generally a fatal disease, but in severe cases the strain put on the body can lead to heart failure.
The second disease associated with asbestos exposure is lung cancer, which is a malignant disease of the bronchi. The bronchi carry air to and from the lungs, and become blocked as the disease progresses. It usually takes at least 20 years after exposure to develop the disease, and although the disease can be treated, survival rates are not high. Those who are treated successfully are often left with decreased lung function and all the problems associated with this.
The final disease associated with the ingestion of asbestos is mesothelioma. It is a cancer of the lining of the lung and it is almost always fatal, usually within 2 years of diagnosis even though it can take 30-40 years to develop. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively associated with ingestion of asbestos fibres, and is responsible for the majority of asbestos related deaths.
While all types of asbestos are considered hazardous to health, it is generally recognised that the blue and brown types are far more dangerous than white asbestos, despite the white variety being far more common. A worker who has been exposed to blue asbestos is 500 times more likely to develop mesothelioma and 10-50 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a worker exposed to white asbestos. Those exposed to brown asbestos are about 100 times more likely to develop mesothelioma and 10-50 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
To prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and the chance of developing the diseases listed above, if you suspect you are dealing with asbestos it is sensible to call in a professional asbestos removal company. They will be able to remove the asbestos safely, minimising the release of asbestos fibres into the air and ensuring that health is not put at risk.