The Danger of Asbestos Exposure That Can Cause Mesothelioma
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| the causes of mesothelioma |
Not many people know what mesothelioma is and how it can occur. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs as a result of years of exposure to asbestos. Long before the dangers of exposure to asbestos were realized, asbestos itself has been widely used in various industries for more than 100 years. Industries that use asbestos a lot, especially in the construction industry. Asbestos is widely used because it has unique basic properties such as resistance to heat and fire, good durability, good strength, and flexibility, and also has good electrical and corrosion conductivity, which makes asbestos very suitable for long-term use.
Thanks to all the above asbestos benefits, asbestos become very popular and become the most widely used in building materials due to its affordable price but good quality. Unfortunately, the popularity of asbestos is not eternal. This happens because of the results of studies that show a close relationship between cancer and asbestos. As soon as it was announced, the usage of asbestos began to experience a lot of decline. In the United States itself, the use of asbestos is not completely prohibited, but in order to be able to use it, there are strict regulations that must be obeyed. However, the real danger from asbestos is the presence of asbestos dust or asbestos fibers that are very small or micro in size so that they can easily be inhaled and enter the body without being noticed. Once asbestos is ingested, the sediment will remain in the body for a long time and slowly develop mesothelioma disease without the patient knowing it.
Until this day, the only known cause of mesothelioma is direct exposure to asbestos. Exposure can be as short as a few hours, or as long as several years. The risk of developing mesothelioma will increase with time of exposure but much research has also shown that there is a higher chance that mesothelioma can still develop even after short-term exposure. Usually, people can get exposed to asbestos either in their workplaces, communities, or even in their homes. Asbestos can spread its fibers during the cutting process or any activities that cause asbestos to deform and produce tiny particles called fibers. These fibers will spread into the air, and will easily be inhaled through the nose or mouth. The tiny particles from asbestos will get trapped in the lungs for a long time and will remain to stay there. Over time, the continuous exposure to these fibers will accumulate significantly, and by this time it can cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect the breathing system and develop serious health problems. Another research also shows that the fibers and minerals in asbestos can affect individual cells. The individual cells will start to malfunction and behave erratically and eventually, the cells will start to over-produce and form tumors.
Occupation That at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Research shows that those diagnosed with mesothelioma can often trace their exposure back to the workplace, especially if they worked between the 1940s and 1970s. This is because during that year the use of asbestos was at its highest and during that time, the safety measures were non-existent. Occupations where asbestos exposure is the highest include miners, oil refinery workers, mechanics, steel factory workers, railway employees, construction workers, contractors, insulators, power plant workers, shipyard workers and builders, firefighters, and any other emergency responders.
Asbestos product manufacturers
Mostly the industry related to asbestos is dominated by men, therefore the number of men diagnosed with mesothelioma is much higher compared to the number of women. However, even though the regulation of asbestos is straightened, still, many of us are at risk today. That's because when buildings are torn down or damaged by themselves, the asbestos in them can be released into the air. And we won't notice if we have already inhaled those fibers. Once we inhale those fibers, but may not develop mesothelioma until decades later. If you or someone you know works in any of the above professions or is concerned about previous exposure to asbestos, it is important to visit your doctor regularly for regular tests for early detection. Mesothelioma is most severe when it is found at a more advanced stage because it usually does not respond to traditional treatment methods. See your doctor regularly and encourage others to do the same.
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