Asbestos: What Is It And Why Is It So Harmful To Humans?

Asbestos is a building material, mostly used for insulating and heat proofing buildings during the 1900s. In later years however, the material was banned due to a rise in health complications caused by this material. To find out more about asbestos and the complications it can cause, keep on reading.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a harmful, dangerous substance that was used as a heat resistant & insulation material in many homes and buildings from the 1930s until 1999 when it was banned. Not only is asbestos heat-proof, it is resistant to electricity and corrosion too, making it an apt material to include in buildings across the UK.

It wasn’t until 1972 that the first asbestos related claims were made, although research would suggest that asbestos was known to be harmful from as early as 1934.

Why Is Asbestos Harmful To Humans?

If you come into contact with asbestos and end up breathing in its tiny fibres, it can increase the risk of some serious diseases and health complications.

Health Complications

●    Asbestosis - This is a non-cancerous, yet still very harmful health complication caused by asbestos. Asbestosis is essentially scarring on the lungs that has been caused by asbestos fibres. It can make your breathing difficult and will usually occur in those who were exposed to asbestos over a long period of time.

●    Lung Cancer - Asbestos can contribute massively to your chances of developing lung cancer. Especially if you are a regular smoker, or were smoking heavily during your asbestos exposure. Lung cancer isn’t the only health complication caused by asbestos, as it can also lead to cancer of the larynx and the ovaries.

●    Mesothelioma - This is another type of cancer which is quite rare. Signs of Mesothelioma may not appear for 30-40 years after exposure to asbestos.

These are just a few of the main complications that can be caused by asbestos. In addition to the many harmful physical effects that asbestos can have on humans, a lot of these health related issues don’t surface for about 30-40 years. Another reason why asbestos exposure is so detrimental is that currently there are no treatments to reverse any of the damage caused by ingesting or being exposed to the material.

Gowrie Contracts

If you are worried about asbestos, or want to find out more, then here at Gowrie Contracts, our asbestos experts are here to help you with any asbestos related issues. If you suspect that your property has asbestos then contact us today to see how we can help you through a safe asbestos removal.

Our team is dedicated to providing a professional and safe asbestos treatment as well as demolition, remediation and building strip outs.