Exposure To Asbestos
A popular construction material during the late 19th and 20th centuries
, asbestos is a strong and flexible answer to many building needs. It is no longer permitted in the UK, however, as if damaged asbestos can release dangerous fibres which can cause a major threat to health. If inhaled, the fibres will lodge in the lungs and cause scarring and inflammation, which can hinder breathing and possibly cause the lung to collapse. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that the 4000 asbestos-related deaths each year are just the "tip of the iceberg".
Towards the end of the 19th century the dangers connected with use of asbestos became known. Despite this it was a further 90 years until the substance was finally banned in England and Wales. Before then several sets of Regulations were introduced regulating its use to try to protect those who handled asbestos because of their job.
Contact with asbestos is most common in employment in the construction industry, and provides an increased risk of conditions such as the lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. The following jobs carried an increased risk of asbestos exposure: laggers, insulation engineers, demolition workers, builders, asbestos manufacture workers, roofing contractors, electricians and plumbers. Spouses and family members of asbestos workers were at increased exposure when sharing a home or washing their clothes.
Everyone will be exposed to small amounts of asbestos at points in their lives, as it is such a widely used material, but the effects of this are unnoticeable. For example, asbestos was used in the manufacture of vehicle breaks, pipe insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, ironing boards and even oven gloves.
If you have been exposed to asbestos while at work or at home and you start to experience symptoms such as breathlessness, you should immediately consult a doctor. Diagnosis with an asbestos related illness can mean you are entitled to compensation. You can start the process by consulting a specialist asbestos solicitor.
by: Katie Clayton
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