Origin of the word ‘Asbestos’

The term "asbestos" derives from the Greek meaning "inextinguishable." According to historical data and sources, the first asbestos supply was sited in Greece on the island of Ewoia and was recognized around the first century A.D. On the other hand, still the early Greeks were well aware that not everything with reference to asbestos was superior. Greek geographer Strabo and the Roman natural scientist Pliny the Elder mutually distinguished an inclination for "sickness of the lungs" in the workers that weave asbestos into cloth or workers who dig for minerals.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a fibrous substance that has been a widely used construction material during the 1950s. It is utilized as an insulator with the purpose of maintaining in heat and retaining out cold. With this function, it has good fire safeguard properties and it is highly resistant to deterioration. Since asbestos is frequently mixed with a different substance, it's tough to identify if you're working along with it or not. Nevertheless, if you work or live in a construction built earlier than the year 2000, it's possible that several part of the structure include asbestos. Asbestos is evident in various products used in buildings, which include ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers and sprayed coatings.

What is the risk?

Asbestos is said to be a silent killer that can be a source of four severe ailments. These diseases will not have an effect on the victim right away because it usually take a long time to build up, but once identified, it is frequently very late to carry out any treatment. Therefore, there is a need for us to do safety measures at this instant. Listed below are some of the severe diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma - a cancer which have an effect on the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining nearby the lower digestive tract (peritoneum).

Asbestos-related lung cancer – it is the same as lung cancer caused by smoking and asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis - a severe scarring state of the lung that usually take place after heavy contact to asbestos over many years.

Pleural thickening - it is commonly a dilemma that occurs after serious asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells.

Who is at risk?

Work-related Asbestos Exposure Risk
A lot of workers are exposed to asbestos in their workplace. Sited below are a few of the occupational environments that may increase a person’s asbestos exposure peril:

• Construction sites
• Asbestos product manufacturing sites
• Oil refineries
• Mines
• Shipyards
• Steel mills
• Power plants
• Automotive manufacturing facilities
• Offshore rust removal sites
• Railroads
• Maritime operation sites
• Demolition sites

Non Work-related Asbestos Exposure Risk
Not all asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace. The following are a few non-occupational asbestos exposure risks:

• Asbestos-contaminated drinking water
• Asbestos products including talc and various older appliances
• Vermiculite-containing garden products such as certain fertilizers and pesticides

One more asbestos exposure hazard is called paraoccupational exposure and takes place at the time a person is exposed to asbestos via a family member who works in a place near the dangerous fibers. Human resources seriously exposed to asbestos possibly will carry the perilous fibers into the residence through their footwear, garments, skin, and hair. Family members or others who reside in the same house may encounter an increased asbestos exposure threat.