| Due to the long latency period of asbestos-related | | | | It should be noted that not only those who had direct |
| diseases, symptoms begin to appear some fifteen to | | | | contact with the asbestos fibers are at high risk. |
| forty years after the patient's exposure to asbestos. It | | | | Those whom they come in close contact with, like |
| is fortunate that the mineral is no longer widely used in | | | | family and friends, may have also been affected |
| the present-day, but those who were exposed to its | | | | through the transfer of the particles embedded in the |
| elements decades ago maybe suffering its effects | | | | clothing or body of the workers. The fibers are very |
| now or in the coming years. | | | | tiny and light; they can easily be transmitted to others. |
| Asbestos was mined and began to be used in the late | | | | Asbestos is responsible for three major health |
| 1800s and was a major component in various | | | | conditions namely, asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung |
| industries such as construction, automotive, shipping | | | | cancer. Asbestosis occurs due to a large amount of |
| and manufacturing. In the field of construction, it was | | | | accumulated asbestos in the lungs causing it to be |
| used to make insulation products as well as in | | | | scarred. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a |
| strengthening plastic and cement. It was also useful for | | | | malignant disease affecting the thin membranes |
| roofing, fireproofing and soundproofing. The auto | | | | around the abdomen and the lungs. Lung cancer is a |
| industry made use of the mineral in producing | | | | familiar form of illness which may also be caused by |
| clutch-plates and brake liners. Asbestos was used for | | | | asbestos poisoning. |
| boiler insulation and steam water pipes in the shipping | | | | Symptoms of these diseases start to surface |
| industry. It was also used in the manufacturing field to | | | | decades after the exposure actually took place. |
| make paints, adhesives and tiles. | | | | However, rare cases of severe illness may have the |
| Asbestos mineral occurs naturally as fibers that are | | | | symptoms appear within months, like the sudden |
| thin and loose. It has two subgroups namely amphibole, | | | | breathing difficulties and persistent coughing. Note |
| which appear as straight and needle-like fibers, and | | | | these most common symptoms: |
| chrysolite, which are typically used for commercial | | | | - anemia |
| purposes. The mineral was widely used during the | | | | - breathing difficulties |
| decades of the 40s until the 80s because of its | | | | - breathing sounds, such as crackling |
| significant features of resistance to chemicals, heat | | | | - chronic, persistent coughs |
| and fire, as well as its non-conduction of electricity. | | | | - loss of appetite |
| Although the use of asbestos have greatly reduced, | | | | - nausea |
| those who have been exposed years ago may not | | | | - regular pains in the chest |
| escape the risk of its poison. Those who have a high | | | | - shortness of breath |
| percentage of being poisoned by asbestos are the | | | | - swelling of the neck and face |
| following: | | | | - unpredictable fevers and night sweats |
| - Those who worked in the construction industry that | | | | - weight loss |
| built and handled materials containing asbestos. | | | | If any of these symptoms start to appear, you should |
| - Individuals who were directly responsible for the | | | | see a physician for proper medical advise. They may |
| removal of asbestos-containing items. | | | | not necessarily mean you are afflicted with an |
| - Workers who renovated buildings and houses. | | | | asbestos-related sickness but early diagnosis will be |
| - Shipyard employees assigned to renovate old ships. | | | | very helpful. The doctor will recommend procedures to |
| - Shipyard crew who took charge of breaking down | | | | try to discover and establish the presence of asbestos |
| and demolishing ships for scrap purposes. | | | | in your body. |