Asbestos
Asbestos Resists Fire, Heat, Chemicals, and Electricity
Although people think of asbestos as a single substance, it is actually a group of minerals. Throughout the years, asbestos was used for its ability to resist chemical reactions, fire, and electricity. Asbestos was widely used throughout the years.
Asbestos Is the Cause of Several Diseases—Some Incurable
When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled. While, most fibers are exhaled, some are not. Once in the lungs, these fibers cannot be dislodged. They can build up over time. Asbestos fibers in the body cause scarring and inflammation which can lead to deadly diseases such as
- Pleural Plaques - calcified plaques on lungs.
- Asbestosis — a condition that scars the lungs and makes breathing very difficult
- Mesothelioma — an incurable cancer that affects the membranes (mesothelial lining) of the lungs, abdomen, heart or other organs
- Lung cancers — various cancers in and around the lungs that grow and spread
Asbestos Is Dangerous, but It Is Not Banned in the USA
In the 1970s, people became aware of the health impact of asbestos. While a few countries have banned asbestos usage, the United States implemented regulations that only limit asbestos usage. Asbestos is not banned in the United States and it is still being used in many applications.