Most people have been exposed to asbestos at some point in their life. Either as a consumer of a product that has asbestos, a worker whose job was asbestos-related or as a family member of the worker who received secondary exposure. Workers exposed to asbestos for an extended period of time are the most likely to experience problems.
OVERVIEW
Asbestos is a generic term for the group of six different types of fibrous minerals. These fibers are resistant to heat, chemical reactions and electricity. This durability made asbestos very popular in commercial and industrial building and many other products. That same durability makes asbestos very dangerous to the human body. When materials that have asbestos in them are manipulated, it sends invisible asbestos particles into the air. When people nearby breathe, the particles are pulled into their lungs where they get lodged. The body tries to get rid of these particles the way it gets rid of other foreign objects, but it doesnt work against asbestos. The lungs develop scar tissue from the agitation of the fibers and this decreases lung capacity. Asbestos exposure can lead to Asbestosis (non-cancerous), Mesothelioma (cancerous) and other forms of cancer.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Long term exposure and severe lung damage may have occurred to individuals who were previously involved in:
- Workers in commercial construction or home renovation using drywall products
- Rail road workers
- Power plant workers
- Paper mill workers
- Merchant Marines
- U.S. Navy personnel serving aboard ship
- Shipyard Workers
- Carpenters
- Roofers
- Welders
- Pipe fitters
- Sheet metal workers
- Maintenance Workers
- Electricians
- Brake Mechanics
- Machinists
If you worked in these industries anywhere from 10 to 40 years ago you should see your doctor and describe your level of asbestos exposure. Your doctor may run some tests to check your lung capacity.
SECONDARY EXPOSURE
Secondary exposure means that you have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with asbestos directly. This could occur when a husband/father comes home from working at the plant and is covered with asbestos dust. He returns home, hugs his family and unknowingly exposing his loved ones to asbestos. Over time, this kind of exposure could lead to asbestosis.