Asbestos
Updated: Dec 31, 2021
What is Asbestos? Should I be concerned about asbestos? Things that you need to know why asbestos is harmful to your health.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a versatile and durable material, making it one of the most common construction materials used in the 20th century. Unfortunately, asbestos was also known to be toxic and can cause a number of serious health issues when particles become airborne or are otherwise disturbed. Asbestos still presents an issue to present-day homebuyers and renters who will want to know if their homes contain any traces of this harmful substance, and how those traces may affect them.
Asbestos was used in various building materials, natural heat, water and fire-resistant. Its heat resistance makes it a good option for insulation and cementing in buildings. Asbestos is also used for manufacturing tires, brake pads, hoses and gaskets. Asbestos was hailed in the past because of its unique physical characteristics - but only for short periods of time. It is now known that permanent exposure to the fibres can lead to health issues later in life, including lung cancer and lesions of the pleural cavity.
Asbestos vs. Health
Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with various lung diseases, caused by asbestos. According to studies, exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that begins inside the tissue surrounding the lungs and stomach, then spreads to other areas like the heart. The Mesothelioma tumour typically takes decades to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos.
About 8 out of 10 patients with Mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure. In the past, Mesothelioma patients could only last from 4 - 18 months after the diagnosis, as it is considered to be an aggressive and deadly type of cancer. But because of the latest health innovations, Mesothelioma survivors are now living longer with cancer than ever before. Breakthroughs in traditional treatments and integrating alternative therapies have helped mesothelioma survivors live on average 12 to 21 months following a diagnosis.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Chest pain
Painful coughing
Shortness of breath
Unusual lumps and tissue under the skin on your chest
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain and swelling
Nausea
Early Mesothelioma diagnosis is the only key for long-term survival. If you have suspected yourself of asbestos exposure, you must seek medical attention immediately.
What to do if you suspect asbestos in your property?
If your home was built along the 20th century and unsure if asbestos is present on your property, Cerkal General Services LTD. is here to help you figure out your abatement and remediation needs. We are based in Edmonton, AB. and serving home and commercial owners across Canada on resolving their asbestos issues. With our years of experience, we offer a professional, comprehensive, safe and effective asbestos abatement service.
Call us at 825 522 1728, or visit our website to resolve your issue about asbestos!