Asbestos, also known as asbestos, is a group of minerals formed by microscopic fibers widely used in various building materials, especially on roofs, floors and house insulation.
However, in recent years it has been discovered that these fibers can be easily released into the air with the wear of the materials, causing them to be absorbed by the air. When these fibers reach the lungs, they cause minor injuries that increase the risk of serious respiratory illness over time.
- Thus.
- Asbestos materials have been excluded from construction.
- Being present only in old buildings that have not yet been reformulated.
- By law these materials must be completely replaced.
- Especially in public places such as schools and hospitals.
- For example.
As a material made up of microscopic fibers, asbestos can be inspired by the lungs, where it accumulates and causes progressive inflammation of the lung tissue, when this happens, the risk of changes in lung cells is higher, which can lead to some lung diseases. .
Some of the most common diseases in people exposed to asbestos include:
It is a disease caused only by the aspiration of asbestos in the lungs and is caused by scarring of lung tissue, resulting in a marked reduction in lung elasticity, making it difficult to expand and breathe.
This is usually a common disease in people who have worked with this type of material and it can take several years to appear.
Lung cancer can develop due to progressive changes in lung cells as well as chronic lung inflammation.
Although it occurs more often in people who also have other risk factors, such as smoking and a lack of a healthy diet, it can develop in apparently healthy people, just from long-term exposure to asbestos.
Discover 10 symptoms that help identify lung cancer
It is a very aggressive type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a thin membrane that lines the lung and other vital organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavity. Chronic exposure to asbestos appears to be one of the only confirmed causes of this type of cancer. .
Learn how to identify the symptoms of mesothelioma and see how the treatment is done.
The most common symptoms in people with prolonged exposure to asbestos or asbestos usually include:
These symptoms can vary depending on how the asbestos fibers affect the lungs, and typically take up to 20-30 years to appear after exposure to the material.
Therefore, people who have worked with this type of material in the past should consult a pulmonologist and evaluate the health of their lungs, assessing the need to start treatment, to avoid the appearance or aggravation of any disease. .
Exposure to asbestos occurs mainly by inhalation of microfibers. Thus, the people most at risk of exposure are usually those who work, or have worked, with this type of material, as is the case of some carpenters, painters, electricians, masons or plumbers.
However, it is also common for the friends and family of these workers to also experience complications related to asbestos exposure, as the fibers can be carried in clothing into the home, for example.
In addition, people who live or work in places with asbestos materials also present a serious risk of exposure, especially if these materials are worn out. Some of the materials that most often contain asbestos in the composition include fiber cement tiles, pipes, and thermal insulation.
The best way to protect yourself from exposure to asbestos is to avoid contact with materials made with this type of material, so ideally all buildings with such materials are rehabilitated for replacement.
However, other safeguards include
In addition, and because complications from asbestos exposure can take a long time to develop, people at high risk of asbestos exposure should undergo regular medical examinations to assess their lung health.