How Dangerous Is Asbestos Exposure in Phoenix?
If you have ever wondered just how dangerous exposure to asbestos can be, the short answer is the following. Asbestos exposure is extremely dangerous to Phoenix residents, and can result in debilitating disease and death many years, even decades, after initial exposure. Unfortunately, only until relatively recently have the real dangers associated with this potentially deadly product become known. Once used extensively in shipyards, factories, homes, and even schools, asbestos was once a commonly used fire-retardant material. Once the dangers became known, which was not until the 1970s, asbestos products were removed from the market, but since the latency period of asbestos related diseases is so long, many people who were exposed many years ago are now sick with asbestos related illnesses.
Asbestosis, for example, is an asbestos related disease that can present itself up to 30 years after exposure. This disease is, however, non-cancerous and sufferers have a better prognosis for survival than for other forms of asbestos related diseases. In 2001, the National Center for Health Statistics reported approximately 550 deaths from asbestosis, and at this time, there is no cure. With proper medical care though, sufferers can survive for many years before the disease advances to an untreatable stage. Symptoms of this disease are shortness of breath, chest pain, labored breathing, and chronic cough.
Another even more serious disease that is directly linked to asbestos exposure is malignant mesothelioma. Victims of this disease have been known to be symptom free for up to 50 years. This disease attacks not only the lining of the lungs, but the abdominal cavity and the lining of the heart. In addition to the symptoms described for asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma sufferers may also experience weight loss, nausea, and obstructed bowels and fevers.
The risk of developing asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma is dependent upon how many asbestos fibers are inhaled, and the risk increases if you are a smoker. Bear in mind that most of us have come into contact with small amounts of asbestos throughout our lives without developing a chronic condition. Gradually, sources of asbestos are being removed from home and workplace. If you feel, however, that you may be exposed to asbestos in either at home or at work, you should contact a company that specializes in asbestos testing so that the problem can be corrected before another victim is claimed.
