Many buildings built before the year 2000 are known to have asbestos present, and many are not aware of its presence when undertaking simple house extensions or repair work.
Disturbing materials
When materials containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged by renovations, demolitions, fires or even rewiring there is always the risk that the dangerous fibres can be released within the breathable air, and due to them being unseen by the human eye, many will not understand the considerable risk they face.
Fibres are extremely small and can be breathed into the body where they can accumulate and cause irreversible damage over long periods. Whilst they do not cause immediate harm or noticeable side effects, when the damage is discovered later through diagnosis it is usually too late to do anything to prevent the illness or disease from taking full effect.
Common health problems
Many illnesses and diseases can come from exposure to asbestos-containing materials, and the symptoms and effects range from terminal to severe.
Mesothelioma is considered a worst-case scenario, in that it is cancer exclusively linked to asbestos exposure and is considered fatal. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and the lower digestive tract and is considered the worst disease to come from asbestos, as by the time it is diagnosed it will be at a fatal stage.
If you are a smoker, the effects of asbestos-containing materials can face the greater increased development of lung cancer. Asbestosis is another scarring condition within the lung that can be linked to heavy exposure to the material over many years. This can lead to progressive shortness of breath to the fatal level.
Pleural thickening is another condition that occurs via heavy asbestos exposure, in which the lining of the lung thickens and swells. This causes a squeeze on the lung which brings shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
Greater risk areas
Is asbestos dangerous? Asbestos-containing materials provide a considerable risk for workers in the trade industry, where workers in construction, demolition, carpentry, roofing, and heating engineering have been heavily affected over the past two decades.
It has also been known to affect those in the painting and decorating, plumbing, plastering and electrical trades, as well as any business involved in building maintenance.
When it comes to working on a home or commercial premises, professional asbestos removal services are required to undertake asbestos testing and safe asbestos removal Manchester away from the risk of workers and anyone occupying the property in question.
If you are currently planning on any work within your home that could pose a considerable risk of disturbing asbestos, contact the team at Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions today, the experts in asbestos removal Cheshire.
