What Does
Asbestos Exposure Mean?
Asbestos exposure is harmful for human beings and animals. Asbestos is a soft grey fibrous silicate mineral used for heat insulation at home and offices, but also threatens human life if inhaled over a long period of time during work or living in such an environment polluted with asbestos dusts. It may cause malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and other fatal lung diseases.
Safeopedia Explains Asbestos Exposure
All types of asbestos (Chrystolite, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Anthophyllite and Actinolite) cause harm to human health. Asbestos exposure became a cause of concern as it is responsible for many lethal diseases, including many forms of cancer. House keepers and maintenance employees, fire and emergency workers are at a higher risk from exposures to asbestos.
People who work with asbestos or live in an area where there is presence of asbestos dusts in the air due to mining, work, destruction of buildings and insulations made of asbestos etc. are at a high health risk. There are no statistics regarding how much total exposure or what rate of exposure would be dangerous to human health, but considering its health hazard potential, use of asbestos has been banned in many countries around the world.
The best way to reduce asbestos exposure is to leave it as it is. Local government organizations related to health, environment and building safety should be informed of the discovery of any open asbestos in an area or abandoned space. Should one have to enter the area, one must wear appropriate personnel protective equipment.