Who Is At Risk Of Asbestos Related Illnesses?
Asbestos is created from combining six silicon based minerals, which occur naturally. These are combined in order to exploit the most valuable chara...
Asbestos is created from combining six silicon based minerals, which occur naturally. These are combined in order to exploit the most valuable characteristics of each. Asbestos is created from a number of thin, fibrous, heat resistant crystals, which are also have immense strength and flexibility and are resistant to heat.
The material, by nature, is hazardous because inhalation of the fibres can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma, illnesses which usually develop up to fifty years after the exposure has occurred.
Those at high risk are people working in jobs where their duties mean they must come into contact with the fibre, with the second most high risk group being those who live with anyone whose job causes them to come in to contact with asbestos fibres. In fact, around 80% of asbestos related illness cases are thought to be as a direct result of occupational exposure or exposure that is secondary.
The other people who are at risk, are at risk because of the geography of where they live. So those who live near sites such as power plants, refineries, factories, shipyards or building demolition, which are likely to have asbestos within the facility, are also at risk of asbestos related disease. This is due to the release of asbestos fibres which then contaminates the surrounding air.
It goes without saying that one of the highest risk industries is asbestos product manufacturing, but industries which are high risk include automotive repair, due to the use of asbestos in brakes and clutches, oil refineries, construction, railroads, steel mills, shipyards and power plants.
This is not the definitive guide list of those who are susceptible to developing asbestos related diseases, but if it is the case that you’ve worked in any of these industries or lived in any of the described areas, then it is important that you get tested for mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses.
Oliver & Co have helped thousands of clients claim for asbestosis , mesothelioma and pleural thickening. Their site can help if you want to know more about lexposure to asbestos.