Introduction
Today, many people think that asbestos exposure is something of the past. The truth is, asbestos is still a deadly public health concern in many countries. Asbestos fibers are known to be very strong. They are also heat resistant, they are lightweight and they have been used for more than a century in building and construction. Asbestos is being added in insulation material and they are also being used as fireproof. As long as asbestos is not distracted, it cannot be harmful. The problem comes in when it is disturbed. If asbestos is interfered with, it becomes airborne and when it is exposed to the environment, people inhale it. If asbestos gets into your body, it can take up to thirty years to be noticed. This is after symptoms of asbestos-related conditions start to show. Asbestos can cause cancer and it can also be very painful.
Apart from what has already been mentioned above, there are other facts about asbestos survey that you must always know. Here are some of the important facts that you need to know and understand about asbestos
Asbestos is still legal in some countries
Although asbestos is known to be a health hazard, some countries still approve the use of asbestos. Countries such as the United States of America still approves its use. Asbestos is still legal in the USA because efforts to try and burn the substance were trashed. This is after the EPA company won a case against U.S. Today, more than 50 nations have banned the use of asbestos. Others allow up to a certain percentage of its usage. The U.S is a good example of a country that still exposes the public to the wrath of asbestos.
Asbestos kills more people
According to statistics done on asbestos, it has been found that asbestos kills more people than skin cancer. In a study done in the U.S, it was found that almost 15000 Americans die of asbestos-related diseases every year. According to the study, asbestos death is categorized into three. The first condition of killing people is related to asbestosis. The second is mesothelioma and the third one is another lung cancer.
There is no safe level for asbestos exposure
According to statistics done and thorough research, it has been found that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Even a brief exposure to the substance can be enough to cause asbestos conditions.
Asbestos is all around us
Believe it or not, asbestos is all over the world. It surrounds us and we live with it. For example, it has been found that 25 million American homes have asbestos based attic insulation. Many homes also have asbestos in pipes, roofing, ceiling, and even flooring. Asbestos can as well show up in kitchen appliances. It can also be in heat resistant fiber, in the clothing that we wear, and in cement sheets. In simple terms, asbestos is everywhere. To know if asbestos is present in your home, consider doing an asbestos survey