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Asbestos danger awareness is crucial to anyone with asbestos
exposure. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly used before the 1970's, in a
variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. Much
like rebar in concrete structures, asbestos fibers provide durability to otherwise
unstable materials .
Due to the asbestos danger to our health most products made today are asbestos
free. The U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Protection Agency (CPSC)
recognizes the asbestos danger by banning several asbestos products and manufacturers have
voluntarily agreed to limit the use of others. Asbestos danger warning labels are now
required on any product containing asbestos.
Be aware of these older asbestos danger products: Pipe and furnace insulation
materials; asbestos and cement shingles; siding and roofing; millboard; resilient floor
tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and floor tile adhesives; soundproofing or
decorative material; patching and joint compound; fireproof gloves and stove-top pads;
and automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets.
Asbestos danger of breathing asbestos fibers resulted in the increased risk of
two forms of asbestos lung conditions: 1) mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the
chest and abdominal cavities; and 2) asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with
fibrous tissue.
The greatest asbestos danger is Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by
asbestos exposure. Asbestos cancer cells invade the sac linings of the chest, abdomen and
heart. Mesothelioma asbestos cancer is very difficult to diagnose and responds poorly to
treatment. Mesothelioma may occur without symptoms or the patient may have shortness of
breath, dry cough, difficulty breathing and chest pain. Asbestos danger symptoms can
strike victims having a small asbestos exposure for a short period of time.
The other main asbestos danger to ones health is asbestosis which scars lung
tissues resulting in shortness of breath, dry cough and difficulty breathing. Asbestosis
patients have 5 times greater risk of developing a tumor or cancer of the lung. Smoking
greatly increases the asbestos danger conditions.
Asbestos danger to your lungs occurs when asbestos material crumbles easily
when handled or when it has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder. Asbestos
exposure happens when air born fibers, too small to be seen, are inhaled into the lungs
where they remain and accumulate. Asbestos danger symptoms usually do not show up for at
least 10 years.
If you work or have worked with asbestos dust, you should have regular chest
x rays to look for any asbestos danger signs in your lungs. If you have suffered from
asbestos lung cancer contact an asbestos attorney. You may be eligible to participate in
the asbestos attorney cancer law lawyer settlement.
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