Is asbestos hazardous to your health?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the EPA have determined that asbestos is in fact a human carcinogen, and that breathing high levels of asbestos can increase the risk of lung membrane cancer (mesothelioma), scar tissue in the lungs (asbestosis), and cancers of the stomach, pancreas, and kidneys.
Asbestos fibers break easily into a dust that can float in the air, stick to clothes, and be inhaled or swallowed. These ingested fibers can then become trapped in airways and lung tissue, resulting in lung infections, shortness of breath, coughing of blood, pain in the chest or abdomen, and significant weight loss. Cancers from asbestos typically do not develop immediately but show up after a significant amount of time; the latency period for mesothelioma is often 15 to 30 years.
Research has not determined a safe level of exposure, but it is known that the greater and longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestosrelated disease. However, asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance be performed to monitor its condition. It is only when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged that it becomes hazardous.
Additional Asbestos FAQs
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Q:
What Is Asbestos And What Is It Used For?
A: Asbestos is a group of fibrous, naturally occurring minerals found in soil and rock that can be separated and spun into long threads. The three most common types of … More -
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What should I do if I've been exposed to asbestos? What if I don't feel sick?
A: If you've been exposed to asbestos it is important to tell your doctor ! Even if you don’t feel sick, the fact is that people usually don’t show … More -
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How does asbestos enter the environment and get inhaled?
A: When people inhale air, it always contains small particles. These particles have to be filtered out because the lungs need to remain sterile. The nose and the bronchi … More -
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Who Is Most Likely To Be At Risk?
A: Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos at some point during their life. Drinking water may contain asbestos from natural sources, or from … More -
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Are products continaing asbestos illegal?
A: Many , but not all, asbestos products have been banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, including: … More -
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Has the federal government established laws or regulations to decrease asbestos exposure?
A: Yes. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; however, uses established prior to 1989 are still permitted. … More -
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What should I do if I've been exposed?
A: If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, even for a very short period of time, it is important to see a physician immediately for a chest x-ray and lung … More -
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Who can file an asbestos-related lawsuit?
A: Although the EPA has made regulations to promote protection from asbestos, and organizations such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) … More -
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What happens when someone inhales asbestos fibers?
A: Asbestos fibers are harmful to humans if inhaled. When a person breathes in the small fibers, they remain in the lungs and cause scar tissue to form on the walls of … More -
Q:
Does asbestos exposure cause cancer?
A: There are several asbestos-related diseases that can result from inhaling asbestos fibers, including: •Asbestosis (pulmonary fibrosis); •Mesothelioma; … More
Environmental Exposure Sub-categories
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Diacetyl
Gulf Oil Spill | Mesothelioma |
