The lungs are some of the most indispensable organs in the human body. Without them, it would be impossible to take in the life giving oxygen that makes human life possible.
Unfortunately, there are many diseases and even substances which can seriously impact the health of the lungs. One of the more well known of these dangerous products is known as Asbestos, and its health risks have been well documented for at least the past half century.
This article will provide information on the subject for those that may not have heard much about the many dangers of Asbestos. Along the way, questions that are relevant to the subject will be answered. These are, what is asbestos? How do asbestos health risks tend to develop? What are some of the dangerous medical conditions that have been linked to asbestos exposure?
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is an extremely fibrous rock forming mineral that is found in at least 6 varieties. These are often identified by their color, including blue, brown, white, and green asbestos.
Asbestos has been mined for thousands of years due to its many valuable properties. These include resistance to fire, high tensile strength, sound absorption, and relative inexpensiveness.
How Do Asbestos Health Risks Tend To Develop?
Asbestos fibers come in two basic classes: serpentine, and amphibole. Serpentine fibers are curly in shape, while amphibole type fibers are needle-like in shape.
Macroscopic asbestos fibers are visible to the naked eye, but each individual visible fiber is made up of millions of smaller fibers that cannot be seen with the naked eye. If the asbestos in question is disturbed in some way such as being abraded or torn, millions of these microscopic asbestos fibrils are released into the air. They are capable of hanging in the air for long periods of time, all the while being inhaled or swallowed by anyone present.
Microscopic and razor sharp asbestos fibrils that are ingested tend to become deeply lodged in the tissues of organs such as the lungs, stomach, and intestine. Here, they continually cut into the surrounding tissues, causing damage and ushering in the arrival of several deadly illnesses.
There are actually a significant number of class action lawsuits involving victims of asbestos exposure in litigation at this moment, so people with asbestos related illnesses would do well to contact their attorney, like those at Cohen, Placitella, Roth, for an immediate consultation.
What Are Some Dangerous Illnesses Related To Asbestos Exposure?
There are several potentially fatal illnesses that are related to exposure to asbestos. The most common ones are Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and Lung Cancer.
Asbestosis is the least serious of these diseases. This condition causes inflammation of the lungs, and is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and even permanent lung damage.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is distinct from lung cancer. It can affect the lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, and the testes. Lung Cancer is a disease that needs no introduction. Sustained exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos has been shown to greatly increase the odds of contracting this disease.
While asbestos has been removed from many structures, its use was so widespread that there is still a lot of it lurking around. This means that for the time being, the risks of exposure remain. Anyone who has been exposed to airborne asbestos and is experiencing symptoms consistent with any of the aforementioned illnesses should contact their doctor immediately.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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