| There is hardly any health risk in the case of a one-time exposure to asbestos. Lengthy exposure to asbestos is dangerous, however, regardless of the type of asbestos involved. Therefore, people who have to deal with asbestos on a regular basis by virtue of their profession, such as certified asbestos inspectors or abatement contractors, always wear protective clothing, the so-called "moonsuits".
In the home and at work
If you come across firmly-bound asbestos material in or around your home and it doesn't show any signs of wear or damage, it is best to leave it alone. That's the safest option, provided that you don't sand, cut or ground it, or disturb it in some other way. If you wish to remove asbestos, you should always contact your local council. In some professions, incidental exposure to asbestos is possible. In that case, great prudence is called for. It is again important that the asbestos doesn't get damaged. You are seldom allowed to remove asbestos yourself.
Deaths
In the past, asbestos was not always dealt with cautiously. Recent research shows that between now and 2028 some 13,000 people will get deathly asbestos-related cancer. The peak is expected in 2017, with approximately 500 deaths per year.
|
|
Diseases
Repeated inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres can cause a variety of diseases, which sometimes do not appear until a few decades after exposure. These diseases are therefore most common in people who are exposed to asbestos by virtue of their profession.
- Lung cancer. The longer the asbestos fibres have been inhaled, the bigger the chance of getting lung cancer. Often, the disease does not appear until ten years or more after exposure. If a person exposed to asbestos also smokes, his or her chance of getting lung cancer increases dramatically.
- Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or of the abdominal cavity. This is a very rare cancer that is almost always associated with asbestos exposure. Often, it does not appear until 30 years or more after exposure to asbestos fibres.
- Asbestosis. The higher the concentration of asbestos fibres and the longer the time of exposure, the bigger the risk of getting asbestosis.
- Several other asbestos-related diseases.
In some country's, victims of asbestos-related diseases can appeal to the state for an advance on a potential compensation. |
