Asbestos exposure is a term that sounds scary, but most people do not pay attention to its threats until they are directly affected by it. The presence of asbestos in homes built before the 1980s is very high because its ill effects were not discovered until years after asbestos was used in construction.
Since the adverse health effects do not show symptoms early on, some people may be exposed to asbestos and not know until it is too late. Hiring asbestos removal Nottingham experts to inspect your home is the best way to ensure your home is safe. It is also best to be aware of how serious asbestos exposure is to your health.
These are the effects of constant and prolonged exposure to asbestos on a persons’ health:
1 – Weakened Immune System
Some studies conducted on people who worked or lived in areas where asbestos was present indicate that their immune system was compromised. Since this does not occur to the majority of people exposed to asbestos, it is considered as one of the less threatening consequences.
2 – Laryngitis
Another mild health concern for short-term asbestos exposure is an increased frequency of laryngitis. If asbestos is removed right away, the symptoms and reoccurrence will lessen over time.
3 – Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a more serious health condition develops after prolonged exposure. It is a condition that results in scarring of lung tissues resulting in breathing difficulties because of impaired gas exchange. Sadly, it can be difficult to detect as the symptoms take years to develop.
4 – Pleural Plaques
The pleural effects of asbestos exposure are perhaps the most common. One of the first is the formation of collagen deposits inside of the chest (pleural) cavity which is also known as pleural plaques.
5 – Pleural Effusion
Another pleural condition is effusion. This condition is marked by the presence of liquid inside the chest cavity causing breathing problems.
6 – Pleural Fibrosis
Fibrosis in the chest cavity occurs when the lining thickens, which is another adverse health effect of asbestos exposure.
7 – Folded Lung
A folded lung happens when pleural fibrosis has advanced which results in the thickened lining rolling into the lungs. This causes a portion of the lung to become airless, causing difficult and uncomfortable breathing.
8 – Mesothelioma
The most serious type of pleural condition caused by asbestos exposure is mesothelioma which is a rare form of pleural cancer, also known as cancer of the lung cavity lining. Cancer can take 30 to 40 years to develop, making it hard to detect during the early stages.
9 – Lung Cancer
Due to the constant exposure to asbestos fibers that enters the lungs, irritation, constant genetic damage, and inflammation will eventually lead to the formation of tumors in the lungs. Smokers are at higher risk of developing lung cancer if they are also exposed to asbestos constantly. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years before the signs of lung cancer are detected.
Residents who are concerned about asbestos exposure or have never had their homes tested should contact the asbestos removal Nottingham experts for an air test and inspection right away. The sooner the asbestos is removed, the sooner you can worry less about your health and well-being.
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