If you are an avid reader of the news both nationally and globally the chances are high that you will regularly read another asbestos related article. On vary rare occasions there may be something positive such as a change to litigation or a new form of treatment for one of the many illnesses that it can cause. With all this bad press and media coverage it is easy to understand that many carry genuine concerns about their health due to past and future exposure to the product but a question that is very rarely answered is if we are actually at risk of developing an asbestos related illness.
First things first, have you worked with asbestos? If the answer is yes then we need to discuss years in which you were exposed as well as the amount of time for. If you worked with the material any time during the 1930’s-1980’s the chances are high that you were not provided with the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and furthermore the correct safety measures were probably not undertaken to reduce the risk to yourself. What this means is that you could have potentially inhaled hazardous asbestos fibres and may be susceptible to developing a chronic health issue.
Asbestos related illnesses have lengthy latency periods meaning that they can take anywhere from between 10-55 years for symptoms to surface, this causes a multitude of other issues including the fact that many asbestos related conditions are extremely difficult to diagnose. Mesothelioma is possibly the most discussed asbestos related illness as it is considered to be the most dangerous. Mesothelioma is almost always fatal and once diagnosed a patient will generally be given a life expectancy no longer than around 18 months.
If you have worked with asbestos it is in your best interest to visit your GP when possible to explain the situation and scan for any asbestos fibres that could be hanging around in the body. Asbestos has the potential to lead to chronic illnesses even with only brief exposure however the risk alongside the times spent working with it.
Anyone in the UK who works with asbestos is required by law to have a license which differentiates a worker trained in asbestos handling from those who do not. There are strict guidelines in place to protect not only employees welfare but also that of the general public.
If you have not worked with asbestos the risk factor decreases significantly however there are still a number of concerns that you should be aware of. During the 20th century asbestos was mass produced to be used an an insulator within the construction industry this meant that thousands of homes built during this era contained and still contain asbestos.
Whilst the house is maintained and kept in good condition the asbestos is relatively safe however it is during times of renovation or if the building has fell into dismay that the asbestos may become damaged and therefore develops into a risk that should be addressed immediately. If asbestos is present in your home you will probably find it in the form of either AIB’s (asbestos insulation boards) found usually in loft space and the cavity of the walls or Spray on insulation which is often located surrounding pipes and plumbing.
If you fear that asbestos may be present in your home it is possible to have a licensed asbestos professional take a look and perform a survey to put your mind at ease. Regulations and litigation surrounding the hazardous material are constantly being updated with the welfare of the public at the forefront of the governing bodies mind. The possibility of ever coming into contact with an product that contains asbestos are becoming slimmer by the day and cases of asbestos related illnesses are scheduled to peak around 2020 then slowly decrease until asbestos related illnesses become a thing of the past.
Author Bio:
Wrote by Adam Howard. Adam is an authority on asbestos and his aim is through his writing is to give advice to hopefully reduce the risk of exposure to this dangerous substance. He writes for Atrium Legal who help workers who are now suffering from asbestos related illnesses due to their job.
*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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