Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance. Constant exposure to asbestos can result in a myriad of health conditions. In fact, according to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry, people living in Sydney are at a high risk of acquiring diseases associated with asbestos. Here, an Asbestos Clearance Certificate is the foremost document that a builder in Sydney procures before they handle the site. If your premises contain this harmful substance, then you shouldn’t wait to look for Asbestos Removal Sydney offers. The experts of such a removal service conduct the elimination process as per the Safe Work Australia Code of practice 2011. Asbestos exposure can prove to be threatening to your health. Here are some essential things you need to know about it.
What is Asbestos, and Where Is It Found?
Asbestos refers to a group of six mineral fibres. They have high strength and chemical and fire-resistant properties. Due to these qualities, they have been utilised in the building and manufacturing industries for many years.
These industries use asbestos for:
- Strengthening plastics and cement
- Providing insulation
- Fireproof textiles, buildings. And military vehicles.
- Sound absorption
Building products like the ones given below also contain this mineral.
- Electrical wire casings
- Joint and patching compound
- Adhesives and floor tiles
- Millboard
Asbestos and Health Problems
The fibres of asbestos can lead to various health problems if an individual continuously inhales them. Many of the fibres get trapped in the person’s lungs and lead to diseases years later. Breathing asbestos fibres result in:
Asbestosis
It is a chronic lung disease resulting from breathing the fibres of this substance over a prolonged period. The inhaled fibres cause fibrosis or scarring of the lungs. The scar tissue is inflexible and hard, and the lungs stiffen and stop working optimally. This condition worsens with time and results in respiratory failure.
Lung cancer
Individuals exposed to asbestos fibres in vast amounts over an extended period have a high chance of developing lung cancer. This risk is even greater in those who smoke. In the absence of early treatment, the tumour spreads throughout the lungs and other body parts. Its most common noticeable sign is a persistent cough. Typically, it takes about one or two decades to develop lung cancer after a person’s exposure to asbestos.
Pleural disorders
The pleura lines the cavity of the chest and covers the lung’s surface. Asbestos generates thick patches on this tissue. This condition will be observed on chest X-rays. It doesn’t result in any symptoms, but it minimises lung capacity to a significant extent.
Malignant mesothelioma
It’s a rare cancer that impacts the pleura. This cancer is directly connected to asbestos exposure in the past. It starts in the pleura and then extends to the chest and lung wall. Currently, there’s no cure available for it. This cancer can develop after about three to four decades of asbestos exposure.
The most common areas where people can find asbestos in Sydney homes include the kitchen, ceiling cavities, and the backing to wall tiles. If your house was constructed before the 1990s, it is wise to think about Asbestos Removal Sydney-based services and connect with the asbestos removal experts who can detect and handle a varied range of asbestos-related tasks. Proper precaution and correct use can lessen the risk of exposure in the long run.
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