Health Threats from Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral which is classified into two families – Amphibole and Serpentine. But between those two, the Serpentine family is the one that is frequently found on commercial, consumer and more especially industrial products. Asbestos in general is used because of its properties that are very ideal for better construction materials. But this positive note is easily reversed by acquiring Mesothelioma Cancer due to significant exposure to it. And apparently, not most people are aware that such kind of disease exist and even more unaware that they may already be exposed to it.

Mesothelioma is a type pf cancer that forms due to exposure to asbestos. Malignant cells grow in the mesothelium which is the lining that covers and protects the body’s internal organs. The most common areas affected by it are the lungs, abdominal cavity and the heart. People who are not just exposed to it but rather inhale asbestos frequently are the ones that are most likely to have this cancer. Such professions are those acquainted with the construction industry such as carpenters and painters.

Detecting Mesothelioma can be very difficult because symptoms usually surface 10 or 40 years later. But diagnosing it requires chest X-ray and CT scan then later on verifying it through biopsy. The most common symptoms for it is shortness of breath as caused by pleural effusion. Treatments available for it are the normal cancer procedures such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.