Asbestos fibers enter your body through breathing. Asbestos is easily spread through the air in its dust or fiber form, making them harmful when ingested or inhaled. Extreme exposure to asbestos is much detrimental because it leads to the development of health complications that can make your life unbearable. Despite the dangers of asbestos, many companies are still using them or using them to make products consumed by the masses.
When Asbestos is Dangerous
The primary way asbestos enters your body is through inhaling or ingestion. When in fiber or dust form, asbestos is dangerous. When the asbestos dust becomes trapped in the throat and mucous membrane, it causes health problems. Floor and ceiling tiles, shingles, lab cabinet tops, and walls that contain asbestos when disturbed will pose a threat to your health. Continued deterioration, aging, disturbance, water damages, and physical impacts are risk factors as they can break the materials into fibers and dust, causing danger.
Health Effects of Asbestos
In its fiber and dust form, asbestos is easily inhaled, related health effects are bound to be seen. This is, however, attributed to long-term unsafe exposure to asbestos and the fact that it is hard to destroy the fibers and dust.
Asbestosis
This is a severe but non-cancerous respiratory disease that one can get after extreme exposure. When the asbestos fiber or dust aggravates the lung tissues, the result is scarring. A patient will experience a dry crackling sound in the lungs when inhaling, and shortness of breath can be fatal. There is no treatment for asbestosis, and the patient will end up disabled. People in the construction industry are at the highest risk when precaution is not taken.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, though rare, is a form of cancer that occurs in the chest, lungs, abdomen, and heart membrane lining. The cause of mesothelioma is the extreme exposure to asbestos. Miners, textile workers, shipyard workers, and people in asbestos factories and mills are at the highest risk of getting this type of cancer. Its diagnosis is made decades later, making its effects much fatal.
Lung cancer is also attributed to extreme exposure to asbestos or products made with asbestos.
What To do after Getting Mesothelioma
There is only one end to extreme asbestos exposure; getting mesothelioma. When you realize you have this type of cancer after diagnosis, the next step should be seeking specialized medical care. Mesothelioma is deadly, and there is no reverse after getting it. As a victim, you have the right to sue the company responsible for failing to protect you.
Look for a mesothelioma lawyer to find out more about filing a lawsuit against the company. Filing for mesothelioma settlement or asbestos trust funds can be a hectic process without legal help. The treatment and medical care expenses can be overwhelming. When you file for mesothelioma settlement alongside an asbestos trust fund, getting financial aid that will help manage the effects and relieve the burden from your family becomes possible
Conclusion
Despite the deadly effects of asbestos, most companies are still using them and exposing their workers and other people in the process. The long-term effects of extreme asbestos exposure are the development of health complications such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. When you get mesothelioma, you can take legal actions against the responsible company, file for mesothelioma settlements or asbestos trust funds, and get financial aid with the help of your lawyer.