asbestosis prevalence
Sunday, May 10th, 2009What is asbestos?
According to the Network of asbestos, asbestos actually refers to several natural minerals. These minerals have been used in commercial products to increase strength and flexibility. The network asbestos claims that these minerals are a mixture of metals, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen. Asbestos, as coal or gold is extracted. Some of the countries that mine asbestos include the United States, Canada, South America and the former Soviet Union.
Types of asbestos
Asbestos is not only a substance, in fact, can be divided into several types, and these types can be divided into two basic groups. These two groups are serpentine and amphibole. Environmental Health and Safety states that the Serpentine has only one member: chrysotile. This type of asbestos is the most common form found in buildings and is also known as "white asbestos".
Both asbestos Environmental Health Network and Security and the list of five different types of asbestos amphibole group. These five are amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. Amosite is the second most commonly found in building materials and is also known as "brown asbestos". Crocidolite, "blue asbestos," is located in the structures in which materials must be safe high temperatures. The last three anthyphyllite, tremolite, actinolite, and rarely found.
Problems related to asbestos
Asbestos Red explains that exposure to asbestos can cause diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma asbestos. The fibrous nature of asbestos causes much of the problem. The fibers may be trapped in the lungs and lung damage. Or they may even be swallowed and lodge in the membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, according to the network asbestos. Of Again, this could lead to cancer of the lungs or gastrointestinal tract. So while it may seem that the lungs are the only place that can be damaged, is in other parts of the body may be adversely affected by asbestos.
Who's at Risk?
According to the Network of asbestos, the "dose" asbestos a person is exposed to is equal to the combination of concentration, or the amount of asbestos in the air, and the duration or length of time a person is exposed to asbestos. Most inhaled asbestos, the greater the likelihood of damage to the lungs or other internal organs. In addition, the network said that cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of contracting an asbestos disease, as it decreases the overall health of the lungs. Asbestos Network also lists of various trades that may be more likely to have developed asbestos diseases. These occupations include construction, shipbuilding, railways and automotive engineers work.
How to Avoid It
There are several things working around asbestos can do to limit their contact with cancer causing fibers. The Association American Lung Georgia insists it will not eat or drink while working. The Association also urged workers not to smoke and to follow the guidelines when handling asbestos. Employers who place employees in areas full of asbestos workers must have adequate training on how to handle the substance and how to avoid interact with it.
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Robert Michael is a writer for ABE Mesothelioma
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What Is Asbestos?
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