Sunday, February 17, 2008

Asbestos Exposure and Risk

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral ingredient in many building, insulation, and consumer products. People who have had significant exposure to asbestos are at risk for developing severe, debilitating diseases.

Asbestos–related diseases take decades to develop. Whether and when you get a disease depends on various asbestos risk factors such as the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and the length of your exposure. Smoking can be another risk factor because it can increase the negative effects of asbestos on your body.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, you will probably, in the short term, not show any symptoms. However, you should tell your doctor about your exposure so that your health may be carefully monitored over the years. Your doctor will look for signs of asbestos diseases and determine if specialized tests are necessary.

Asbestos becomes hazardous when it becomes airborne. This may happen through unsafe work procedures or because asbestos–containing material is deteriorated, damaged or removed, releasing asbestos fibers or dust. High exposure risk is often associated with various occupations such as construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive work.

source: braytonlaw.com

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