Asbestos refers to six minerals that are characteristically composed of strong, light, and fibrous crystals. Because of these properties, this material is often used for insulation, fireproofing, and construction. It can be found in cables and even wall and floor tiles.
However, we now know that the use of asbestos comes with severe consequences for your health. Here are three essential facts about asbestos that should help you protect yourself and your family more effectively.
Asbestos is dangerous to the lungs.
In spite of its many uses, asbestos is something to be extremely careful with if you use it in your home. It is a dangerous material when it is fine enough to become airborne. When a person inhales asbestos fibres, the material stays within the lungs for a long time. Currently, there are no known biological processes that help in flushing out these toxins.
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer, and it is often associated with asbestos exposure. Almost every person that has this disease has been exposed in some way to asbestos, whether it was at home, work, or even their schools. There is enough scientifically acquired evidence that supports a cause-and-effect relationship between this type of lung cancer and asbestos.
Asbestosis is another condition that has become strongly associated with asbestos exposure. People with this ailment find it hard to breathe, which in extreme cases can become fatal. What makes these diseases extra threatening is the fact that they are asymptomatic at first. Symptoms only start showing when such conditions have already progressed into irreversible stages, which can take up to five decades.
Asbestos is heavily regulated but still legal. Despite all the life-threatening issues associated with it, asbestos remains legal even in developed countries such as the United States and Canada, due to its affordability and usefulness. To protect its citizens, Quebec has imposed stringent regulations regarding the use of it.
However, because it can be dangerous, there are still cases where someone unknowingly handles it, so there are still many asbestos-related health issues are still reported every year.
You can file claims for any asbestos-related issues that you suffer from.
If you or someone close to you fall victim to asbestos exposure, know that there are things that you can do to protect your interests. It is common knowledge that recovering from any serious illness or injury takes time and money. If your health issue is caused by asbestos, it is never just for you to face the disease alone. You can have yourself represented by competent lawyers who specialize in asbestos cases, and file cases against the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products that you were exposed to. The claim can also be made against their insurers. Learn more about this so that you build your case better and eventually win.
There are still materials that although dangerous, are still in use because they are cheap and highly practical. Asbestos is, unfortunately, one of them. With that, it will be to your advantage to know what it does to the body and what you can do to protect your interests,
even when the battle goes to the courts.
