Asbestos In Homes – Risks, Factors And Concerns You Must Know!
Asbestos consists of six different minerals that are found naturally in soil and rocks. Asbestos contains thin fibers and have been used for hundreds of products, including building and roofing materials. Asbestos exposure is responsible for malignant mesothelioma, which is an aggressive form of cancer with no cure. Contrary to what people believe, mesothelioma is not limited to occupational exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a carcinogen, and you can get exposed at home, as well. Here are some of the things you need to know.
The basics
If your home was built prior to 1980, it is possible that the building materials include asbestos in some form. Many people also get exposed to the minerals while taking up DIY home renovation projects. If there is any damage to the property due to natural calamities like wind and storm damage, asbestos can get airborne, which can lead to serious health consequences. Asbestos in homes have lead to numerous cases of mesothelioma, and that’s an aspect that you cannot ignore, at all.
Home Products that contain asbestos
Asbestos is found in a number of building materials, especially in homes that were built in 1980s or before that. Even now, many homes in the US have materials made of asbestos. As mentioned earlier, you can get exposed to deadly asbestos fibers while doing any sort of home renovation. Some of the products that have asbestos include textured paint, house insulation products used between 1930 and 1950, products like stove-top pads, selected vinyl floor tiles, and steam and hot water pipes. In some homes, asbestos has been used for insulation for coal and oil furnaces. Asbestos is also found in auto brake pads and clutch facings.
Get your home checked
It should be noted that the presence of asbestos does not always mean potential health risks. However, if asbestos is damaged, the material becomes dry and can get crumbled in a powdered form, which can eventually release asbestos fibers in the air. If inhaled, these fibers can cause health issues. It is always advisable to get your home tested by professionals, who can give a better idea if the products containing the mineral are damaged. Also, do not try DIY projects with anything that contains asbestos in any form.
Know more about mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is extremely dangerous to say the least. In the advanced stages, many patients don’t live more than a year, and the overall costs of treatment can be extremely high. If you had any kind of first or secondhand exposure and have pain in the chest, back or sides of the chest, talk to your doctor at the earliest. Keep in mind that initial diagnosis can help in getting better treatment, since the body will respond better to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and as required, your doctor many also use palliative care for further recovery and relief.
Lastly, if you or someone you know is suffering from mesothelioma, it is possible to get legal and financial help. You can also find relevant information on many websites in this regard.
Author Bio – Nancy is a blog and content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience. Nancy has been writing about mesothelioma and cancer for close to eight years.
