Asbestos is still a problem

Website design By BotEap.comBeginning in the 1800s, asbestos became widely used in the manufacturing and construction industries due to a variety of desirable attributes. The product offered a number of advantages and very few initial drawbacks. For a young United States just waking up to its industrial and commercial potential, asbestos offered solutions to a host of problems. Unfortunately, as is now well known, this substance would be revealed to be as dangerous as it is useful. Exposure to asbestos can cause very serious and often fatal health problems. It has become almost consistent with toxicity. While steps have been taken to lessen this danger for current and future generations, asbestos is not strictly a topic for the history books. It can still be found on select buildings or products. Rarely does a month go by without it being in the news, usually in the realm of a lawsuit.

Website design By BotEap.comInitially, asbestos seemed like a godsend. As a product it is strong, durable and not easily flammable. At a time when fire was still one of the biggest threats to a city, asbestos could serve as flameproof insulation for massive construction projects. It also shows desirable effects in dampening sound and maintaining temperature from wall to wall. Beyond buildings, asbestos has also been widely used in equipment manufacturing, shipbuilding, and even in the automotive industry. Its use had not even begun to decline until the negative health effects of exposure became much clearer during the 1970s.

Website design By BotEap.comIt would not be until the second half of the 20th century that the great disadvantage of asbestos was discovered. Mesothelioma is a rare, but extremely dangerous form of cancer that has been linked to asbestos inhalation. In fact, it is quite rare (but not necessarily impossible) to contract the disease without prolonged exposure to asbestos-related products. Despite the range of treatments available, the prognosis for mesothelioma patients is not particularly good. The early stages of mesothelioma are possibly curable if caught early, but the later stages are still considered a death sentence. Due to the difficulties involved in detecting the disease, it does not always present itself until the last stages.

Website design By BotEap.comSo knowing now what we didn’t know then, asbestos has been eradicated from our homes and workplaces, right? The answer to that question would be no. Despite the danger it presents, asbestos is not strictly a problem of the past. While most countries, including the United States, have passed bills limiting or prohibiting its use in the future, it is still found in numerous constructions that took place before any regulation. It is simply not feasible or practical to go through every structure with a fine-toothed comb for the cancer-causing substance. And truth be told, if it’s properly contained and not exposed to ventilation systems, the amount of danger present is somewhat reduced. However, whenever areas of a building that have not been previously exposed are renovated or opened; Great care must be taken to ensure that asbestos is not a potential factor for workers or future inhabitants. If asbestos is a problem, there are a variety of agencies and/or companies that can help with the problem.