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Exposure To Asbestos
Asbestos is a toxic chemical that affects the body most people are unaware of. Asbestos is a carcinogen, and like many other chemicals, it affects more than just your lungs. Its impact ranges from cancer to lung disease and other health risks.
Exposed individuals can feel the effects over time regardless of where or when they were exposed to the substance. It's essential to know how asbestos affects your health so that you can take preventative measures. Luckily, we're here with a comprehensive guide that'll tell you all about it.
What Is Asbestos?
The term asbestos is derived from the Greek adjective meaning inextinguishable. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring silicate minerals with the same eponymous asbestiform characteristic; long (roughly 1:20 aspect ratio), thin fibrous crystals, with visible fibre composed of millions of microscopic "fibrils."
The fibrils can be released by abrasion and other processes. Asbestos can be classified based on colour and is either referred to as green asbestos, brown asbestos, white asbestos or blue asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral mined and used in many products.
It was once considered a miracle material because of its desirable qualities, such as resistance to fire and heat. The name also reflects its use in wicks and later as an ingredient in incombustible cloth. The word asbestos is still used today to refer to that property, although it has been replaced by more specialised materials for most industrial applications.
Many industries commercially sold asbestos under the names chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. It was also used as a binder in concrete, brake linings, vinyl floor tiles, sealants, coatings, adhesives, and plasters.
Applications Of Various Types Of Asbestos
Materials containing asbestos are often found in buildings, homes, and schools. Asbestos can also be found in construction materials such as cement sheeting, pipes, insulation, and other construction materials.
Anthophyllite, amosite (brown/grey), and crocidolite (blue) were also used in commercial products. Tremolite is sometimes discovered as a contaminant in chrysotile or other types of asbestos; however, actinolite has not been used commercially.
Health Effects Of Exposure To Asbestos
The health effects of exposures to asbestos depend on the type of asbestos material involved, the length of time one is exposed to it, and the level of exposure. The level of exposure is how much dust has gone into the lungs and whether or not someone smokes cigarettes or has long-term lung problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
OSHA, also known as The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, limits how much asbestos exposure is considered 'safe.' Asbestos is a dangerous substance. It's hard to know how much asbestos is too much and its effects on your lungs. It could be the material in insulation, floor tiles, or even those mannequin heads behind the store window.
You might even have asbestos under your fingernails and not know it! However, asbestos does not immediately become dangerous once released into the air. For a person to experience any adverse effects from asbestos exposure, they must breathe that airborne asbestos over a long period. If you are exposed to asbestos for one hour and then leave the area, you will probably not experience any adverse health effects.
The only way to get rid of asbestos is through an expensive removal. But not to worry, now you can find out what you're dealing with using an easy-to-use asbestos detector! This detector will identify the presence of any form of asbestos. It will save you from contracting deadly lung diseases and ensure that you're comfortable.
Common Uses For Asbestos
The most common use for asbestos is in insulation and related applications. Asbestos has both fire-retardant and insulating properties, so anything that you want to be protected from a fire will benefit from having an asbestos lining.
It was used in:
• Construction materials like drywall, plaster, cement, and floor tiles.
• Electrical equipment like wire insulation and switches.
• Pipe insulation for heating systems.
• Heat-resistant fabrics like gloves and safety clothing.
• Roofing tiles.
How To Protect Yourself From Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was a mineral used extensively in the construction industry until the 1970s. It is now banned in many countries. However, asbestos remains in some buildings and can be disturbed by renovation work or natural disasters such as earthquakes. Individuals are most at risk of asbestos exposure when they breathe in tiny particles of asbestos dust.
The dust can be released into the air when old buildings containing asbestos are demolished or damaged, for example, during an earthquake. It can likewise be released from building materials such as insulation and ceiling tiles that contain asbestos.
Can One Survive Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos is a type of mineral often used in the past as an insulator but has since been found toxic. It has since been linked to diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. There are two ways to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos:
• If you were in the vicinity of someone who was using asbestos.
• Suppose you have any physical symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing, which may indicate that your lungs are inflamed. If you have breathing difficulties, you should report these symptoms immediately to a medical professional.
• If your asthma is life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment, you should contact your local emergency number. Some asthma medications can be taken as over-the-counter medicines in most states, even if they don't say "over the counter" on the bottle. Depending on your state, the nurse practitioner can prescribe you an inhaler in either a prescription or over-the-counter drug form.
What Can You Do To Limit Exposure?
While it's crucial to avoid asbestos altogether, sometimes that isn't possible. The most common asbestos exposure route is during a home renovation or when repairing the damage caused by asbestos. Firstly, avoid asbestos-containing materials.
This includes floor tiles, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, and some types of insulation. If you live in quite an old home or building built before the 1980s, it may contain asbestos. If you will be working on a project that is likely to disturb the material containing asbestos (such as demolition), make sure you wear protective gear like coveralls, gloves, and masks.
Get a mask and put it on right away. Don't wait until you start working — that will only increase your exposure. Next, make sure there's plenty of ventilation around you. This factor may not seem like that big of an issue if there's only one small opening in a room, but if you throw a blanket over it and seal off any other ventilation holes in the room, all of those fibres will be trapped in the air around you.
If you are not wearing personal protective gear when working with any material containing asbestos, then ensure to wash your hands thoroughly after completing the task and remove all contaminated clothing before leaving the area.
What To Do If You Suspect Asbestos Exposure
Learn the effects of asbestos exposure
We have already seen the effects of asbestos on the human body and the environment. Since breathing in asbestos can increase your chances of getting lung cancer, be watchful.
Do not panic
Do not panic, as asbestos-related diseases take time to develop most often. It is only after a long duration of time that one shows symptoms after being exposed frequently to high amounts of asbestos.
Take steps to minimise exposure
Minimise the risk of getting any asbestos disease now to safeguard your future. A medical exam is the only way to know if you've been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure can cause individuals to develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases.
Health Issues Caused By Long-Term Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma
It is reported that about 699 people died from aggressive cancer mesothelioma in 2018. Its most common cause is asbestos exposure. It can take an individual anywhere from 20 to 50 years for someone exposed to asbestos fibres to show symptoms of mesothelioma, but once they do, life expectancy is usually less than two years.
A report titled Mesothelioma in Australia 2018 reported that 662 diagnoses were recorded. The age range of those diagnosed was between 22 to 101 years. This is despite the fact that asbestos was prohibited. Mesothelioma is very aggressive and usually has a very poor prognosis. It takes place in the protective lining in the body cavities and in the internal organs' external area.
Lung Cancer
There's no known cure for mesothelioma or lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure, so it's critical to protect yourself from the material altogether.
Lung Disease
Asbestosis (lung tissue scarring) and pleural effusions (fluid build-up in the chest cavity) are two common conditions associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Heart Complications
Medical studies have linked asbestos exposure with cardiac arrhythmias and pericardial diseases - pericarditis and heart valve problems.
Colon Cancer
Some studies have linked asbestos exposure to colon cancer, although this link is not definitive. If one suspects that they have been exposed to asbestos, consult a doctor immediately so that the doctor can determine the history of exposure and if they have any symptoms.
It may take years before the symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses show. If you have the symptoms below, consult your doctor:
• Breathlessness, gasping, or hoarseness
• A stubborn cough that does not get better over time
• Blood in spit coughed up from the lungs
• Discomfort or constriction in the chest
• Trouble swallowing
• Inflammation of the neck or face
• No appetite
• Weight loss
• Exhaustion or anaemia
Legislation Related To Asbestos In Australia
It is predicted that roughly 80 per cent of all buildings constructed in Australia between 1940 and 1980 contain some form of asbestos material. Until the late 1980s, asbestos was finally banned from use in Australia following growing concerns over exposure to the material.
An increasing number of older buildings are being torn down or refurbished, and for a good reason. There has been a huge surplus in demand for asbestos removal from all these old buildings. Legislation related to asbestos in Australia is a complex issue. It is not just about the health and safety of construction workers but also its impact on the environment.
The first legislation on asbestos in Australia was passed in 1974. The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1974 required all asbestos removal work to be licensed by a government inspector. The Australian government updated this legislation with The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 2009, which set out licensing requirements for any person who carries out or supervises asbestos removal work.
This work includes, demolition, or refurbishment work involving asbestos-containing materials and the manufacture or supply of products containing asbestos. The Australian government has also passed legislation to control the importation of products containing asbestos into the country. These regulations are enforced by customs as well as other state enforcement.
The Australian Asbestos Management Review (AAMR), commissioned by the Senate, reviews the adequacy of the regulatory framework that manages the risks of asbestos exposure in Australia. The report was tabled in Parliament on 14 October 2014 by Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mr. Briggs. The AAMR made several recommendations to improve the management of asbestos risks, including:
• The development of a national strategic plan for asbestos management
• The establishment of an annual national asbestos awareness day
• The establishment of an online hub for information about asbestos-related matters
• Creation of a register for licensed asbestos assessors
• A nationally harmonised licensing scheme for people undertaking Class A and Class B asbestos removal work
• Provision of incentives to encourage safe removal of asbestos from buildings
Why Is Asbestos Still Used In Some Industries?
The first use of asbestos occurred around 2500 BC when it was used to make pottery. In 1879, the foremost manufacture of asbestos paper took place in France. In 1881, the first manufacture of asbestos cloth happened in England. In the 1920s and 1930s, people noticed that those working with asbestos were getting sick.
Doctors then discovered that these people had developed lung cancer and other respiratory diseases from inhaling tiny fibres from the fabric into their lungs over time. There are still several circumstances where asbestos may be used in Australia. Even though this carcinogen has been banned from use in many countries worldwide, it is still used on a small scale in our region.
Asbestos is still used in some industries because it is cheap, easy to work with, and has good insulation.
Industrial uses of asbestos include:
• Asbestos cement pipes
• Asbestos roofing tiles
• Asbestos brake linings
• Asbestos gaskets
• Asbestos insulation
The use of asbestos is highly restricted – it's only used in these circumstances:
• The manufacture or supply of asbestos products, including importing or re-using them
• The removal of asbestos from buildings during construction projects or demolition
• The mining of asbestos
• The dumping of waste containing asbestos
• Any other related activity (such as building a warehouse to store asbestos or transporting it)
It's illegal for any of these activities to be carried out without a licence from WorkSafe, which is the government agency responsible for making sure that employers comply with workplace health and safety laws.
But there are a lot of other products you may regularly use that can contain it.
Products that may contain asbestos include:
• Building materials: Drywall, ceiling tiles, and plywood.
• Cleaning products: Floor cleaners, mops, paint strippers, and so on.
• Drain cleaners: Toilet bowl cleaners and drain openers.
• Electrical components: Electrical and electronic components such as switches, circuit breakers, and transformers.
• Furniture: Office chairs, computer desks, desks and so on.
Handling The Ongoing Asbestos Problem
A solution to the ongoing asbestos problem is to create a new material that is safe and has similar properties. However, this will take time and research, but it is the only way to solve it. Australia prides itself on its environmental standards and protection.
Australia altogether banned asbestos use in December 2003. The Australian Border Force (ABF) regulates the importation and exportation of products at borders, and it checks all items for asbestos. If you need to know if an item you are carrying has asbestos, go to their website. If it does, then they will guide you on what to do.
It is estimated that Australia produces about 25% of the world's asbestos, which is alarming because safer alternatives are available such as Electrothermal Chemical Treatment (ETC). Even though there is a growing body of evidence suggesting severe health effects from asbestos exposure, we are yet to see stricter legislation against the use of asbestos-based products.
It should be noted that even though some sections of the Asbestos Act 2002 were found illegal by the High Court in August 2015, the Act still stands. The Asbestos Act 2002 and related legislation will continue to be enforced until the Queensland Government introduces new legislation.
The Safe Disposal Of Asbestos
To ensure no one is exposed to any airborne fibres or dust that may threaten their health, it is vital for anyone involved in removing asbestos to be adequately trained and fully understand how to protect themselves from toxicity. If you think your house contains asbestos, occasionally check for splits, scratches, or damage caused by water.
If you find any scratched material, restrict that area and don't touch or rattle it. If you need to do any repairs after you have noticed you have asbestos in your home, contact an expert to come and assess and recommend a way forward. It is vital to get a written agreement stating the work plan, cleaning, and any related laws that are followed by the said state.
The worker is supposed to follow these regulations. As such, should you suspect or have any asbestos-related products in your home or business, it is important to only make use of asbestos professionals who are familiar with and have experience moving or maintaining asbestos according to the set laws.
David
