What happens if asbestos is in the air?
If you breathe asbestos fibers, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.
How much asbestos is in ambient air?
The asbestos concentration in ambient air of rural regions has been reported to be 0.00001 f/mL; however, the asbestos fiber concentration in the ambient air of urban regions is about 10 times greater than that of villages [11].
Is asbestos in outdoor air?
Many people are exposed to very low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in outdoor air as a result of erosion of asbestos-containing rocks. The risk of this is higher in areas where rocks have higher asbestos content. In some areas, asbestos can be detected in the water supply as well as in the air.
How does asbestos affect the body?
The asbestos fibers irritate and scar lung tissue, causing the lungs to become stiff. This makes it difficult to breathe. As asbestosis progresses, more and more lung tissue becomes scarred. Eventually, your lung tissue becomes so stiff that it can’t contract and expand normally.
What symptoms does asbestos cause?
Breathing in asbestos fibres over many years eventually causes scarring of the lungs….Symptoms include:
- shortness of breath.
- persistent cough.
- wheezing.
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- pain in your chest or shoulder.
- in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips.
How long does exposure to asbestos take to have an effect?
The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos typically don’t show up until 10-40 years after initial exposure. Symptoms can vary in severity. Asbestosis signs and symptoms may include: Shortness of breath.
What happens if asbestos is in my house?
Even if asbestos is in your home, this is usually NOT a serious problem. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous. The danger is that asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard.