Why Asbestos is Dangerous

Have you recently found out that your home is suffering from an asbestos issue or issues? If you have, you are most likely feeling a lot more than a little worried. In Australia, we love our homes, our climate, our culture and our laid-back lifestyle. However, when it comes to asbestos testing and asbestos removal, it really isn’t time to indulge that laid-back mindset.

When asbestos fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4500 deaths a year. There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma, which is always fatal, lung cancer almost always fatal, asbestosis not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating and diffuse pleural thickening, not fatal.

Asbestos fibres are present in the environment in Australia so most people are exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels can increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos related diseases won't affect immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos-related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

•  Mesothelioma, which is always fatal,  
•  Lung cancer almost always fatal,
•  Asbestosis not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating
•  Diffuse pleural thickening, not fatal.

Asbestos fibers are present in the environment in Australia so most people are exposed to very low levels of fibers. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibers breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibers, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels can increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos related diseases won't affect immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos-related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibers are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Here is more information about the affects of asbestos at The Pleural Mesothelioma Center