Asbestos is a material that’s resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Its qualities make it extremely useful in construction since it provides excellent insulation, and when added to things like cloth, cement, and plastic, it makes them stronger. However, regardless of how useful it is, asbestos is very toxic. When inhaled, the fibers can become permanently trapped inside the body, causing a myriad of diseases and complications. Read on to discover what asbestos exposure does to the human body.

What Diseases Are Associated With Asbestos?

1. Lung Cancer

Construction, maintenance, and electric workers have a high risk of asbestos exposure due to the material’s widespread use in the past, before people learned of its toxicity. Lung cancer is one of the diseases it can cause. 

Typically, lung cancer doesn’t begin to start forming until 15 years after exposure. To diagnose lung cancer, you’ll need sputum cytology, tissue samples, and imaging tests. Consider making an appointment with your doctor if you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos and have begun experiencing heavy coughing, chest pain, or a hoarse voice, as these are the symptoms of lung cancer.

2. Asbestosis

When a person inhales asbestos, the fibers can cling to the lung linings and, over time, create scar tissue. The resulting damage can cause serious complications, potentially leading to death. Look out for these symptoms if you’ve been exposed to asbestos:

• Shortness of breath
• Dry coughing
• Fingertip swelling
• Chronic fatigue

3. Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive type of cancer that asbestos exposure can cause. When the fibers get trapped in the lungs and cling to the lining, they can begin to mutate and become small tumors. You’ll notice lumps start to form under the skin in addition to shortness of breath, coughing, and other respiratory symptoms. The treatments currently available for mesothelioma are chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

If you think your home or building has asbestos, call the professionals at Action Asbestos Removal immediately to make the area safe again. For 30 years, they have been purging Montville, CT, homes of their asbestos issues and causing minimal disruption as they do it. They offer 24-hour service, meaning that even if you find asbestos in your home in the middle of the night, these experts will come out and remove it because your safety is their top priority. Call (860) 848-2912 or visit their website for more information.