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]]>Effects of Asbestos Exposure: Asbestos fibres are small, thin, and easily inhaled. Once inhaled, they can become lodged in lung tissue, causing inflammation, scarring, and genetic damage to cells. These effects can eventually result in serious health conditions.
Short-Term Health Effects: Short-term exposure to asbestos may not cause immediate symptoms, but some individuals might experience respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The severity of these symptoms usually depends on the concentration and duration of exposure.
Long-Term Health Effects: The long-term health effects of asbestos exposure are significant and can include the following conditions:
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease characterised by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced lung function.
- Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen.
- Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in smokers.
- Pleural thickening and plaques: Asbestos exposure can cause the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs) to thicken and form plaques, leading to breathing difficulties and chest pain.
Prevention: Preventing asbestos exposure is crucial to reducing the risk of asbestos-related health issues. Here are some key prevention measures:
- Identify asbestos-containing materials: Recognise the presence of asbestos in homes, workplaces, and other environments to minimise the risk of exposure.
- Leave undisturbed asbestos alone: If asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, it’s best to leave them undisturbed to prevent the release of fibres.
- Hire professionals for removal: If asbestos removal is necessary, hire licensed professionals who are trained in proper handling and disposal techniques.
- Follow safety guidelines: Workers exposed to asbestos should adhere to safety regulations and guidelines, such as wearing protective clothing and using appropriate equipment.
- Be cautious during renovations: If you’re renovating a building that might contain asbestos, seek professional advice to prevent unintentional exposure.
Understanding the short and long-term health effects of asbestos exposure is essential to protect yourself and others from the associated risks. By implementing prevention measures and raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos, you can help minimise the potential health impacts.
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Asbestos-related deaths have levelled out and are due to decline. Annual mesothelioma deaths increased substantially over the last few decades due to past asbestos exposures, but have remained broadly level over the last 5 years; projections suggest a reduction beyond the year 2020. Why is this?
Now, the rules and regulations around asbestos have bought control to the use and handling of this material, dangerous when handled or not disposed of correctly. Training for anybody involved in the removal and disposal of asbestos is required, and instilling this knowledge in those who handle it is helping to reduce exposure and risk of illness. How can we help?
Related ProTrainings course – Asbestos awareness, available here: www.proasbestosawareness.co.uk
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Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Asbestos fibres are present in the environment in the UK. Therefore, people are exposed to very low levels of fibres, where individuals are working on or near a site where damaged or broken materials that contain asbestos are present. This could dramatically increase the number of fibres normally in the environment considerably, therefore increasing the risk of getting an asbestos-related disease.
When working in an area where asbestos may be present, you must be trained and wear the correct personal protective equipment, including respirators, breathing equipment, gloves and full protective equipment. Work must only be carried out by a competent person.
There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Asbestosis and Diffuse Pleural Thickening. The effect of working with or being exposed to high numbers of fibres would not affect immediately but later on in life.
The standards state that all work involving any form of asbestos will be carried out in accordance with the current Control of Asbestos Regulations and Approved Code of Practice and any removal of asbestos must be done in accordance with the asbestos Licensing Regulations.
Asbestos is not covered under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 as there is a separate regulation covering it.
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