subject: Asbestosis - How "Coffin Nails" Can Really Become Coffin Nails [print this page] Asbestosis - How "Coffin Nails" Can Really Become Coffin Nails
Asbestos causes a host of health problems. One that doesn't get as much hype is asbestosis. In this article, we take a look at asbestosis and smoking.
Asbestos is a wondrous natural material. How so? It is incredibly heat and fire resistant. As a result, it has been used throughout history in products and building materials wherever heat and fire have been a concern. This includes in boiler rooms on Naval ships, in brake pads on cars and in construction materials like ceiling tile, siding, insulation and so on.
Asbestosis is not a form of cancer. There is a lot of confusion on this issue. Instead, it is a scarring of the lungs. This occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs and become embedded higher up in the lungs. The body cannot expel the fibers through coughing and scarring starts to occur. While asbestosis is not a form of cancer, it can lead to lung cancer particularly where other risk factors are present.
As you can probably guess, smoking is one of the key risk factors when evaluation the risk of lung cancer. Consistent smoking weakens and damages the lung material. In combination with the scarring from the asbestos fibers, this leaves the lungs in horrific condition, one so bad that the onset of lung cancer becomes much more likely. How much more? Try 50 percent more likely.
Now, there is a flip side to this equation. What if you smoke now and are exposed to asbestos? Is it a death sentence? No. According to the National Cancer Institute, you drop the chance of your getting lung cancer by a huge 50 percent if you stop smoking. Yes, another reason for you to stop firing up those coffin nails.
I smoked for years. I was never exposed to asbestos. At least I hope not. You can quit if you really want to. If you've been exposed to asbestos, the question is not whether you want to quiet smoking, but whether you want to keep living. Smoking while around asbestos is damn near committing suicide. Don't do it!
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