What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral which has been mined and manufactured for use in different forms. It has been extensively used in the building industry because of its strength, durability and fire resistant properties.
Pleural mesothelioma
The pleura is the lining of the chest cavity. A cancer of this coating is known as pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include the lack of breath chest pain and cough.
Peritoneal mesothelioma
The peritoneum is the lining of the abdomen. A cancer of the abdominal wall known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction, and nausea.
Asbestos and Your Health
There are different types of asbestos cancer. These include lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Lung Cancer
There are two types of lung cancer:
- small cell lung (SCLC) and
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Lung Cancer SCLC is the least common form of lung cancer and accounts for about 20% of cases of lung cancer. Small cell lung vancer occurs almost exclusively in cigarette smokers. It is the most aggressive type of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis and usually has spread to many parts of the body.
Lung cancer non-small cell is the most common type of lung cancer to occur in approximately 80% of cases of lung cancer. Lung cancer non-small cell can be caused by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma
The two main types of asbestos used in buildings and construction include bonded or tightly bound asbestos and friable or loosely bound asbestos.
Bonded Asbestos
Asbestos found in residential homes. It is made up of a bonding substance, such as cement, and up to 15% of asbestos and is also commonly known as Fibro, asbestos cement or AC sheeting.
Friable Asbestos
Most commonly found in commercial and industrial buildings for fireproofing, sound proofing and insulations.
It can also be found in stoves, hot water systems and vinyl and linoleum floor coverings. This type of asbestos is made up of 100% asbestos and disintegrates, turning to dust upon touching. It must be removed by hose with an A Class certificate
Asbestos maybe present especially in houses or commercial establishments constructed before 1980. Asbestos itself is not hazardous unless damaged, and such damage can be done through remodeling or demolishing. So it is best to know what to do before undertaking such an operation.
Here is a guide from determining its presence to asbestos removal and disposal.
1. Identifying presence of asbestos
Asbestos cannot be identified by simply looking at the wall. It requires highly trained professionals, which AWARE have, to do the risk assessment.
2. Risk assessment
The licensed professional inspects the house or commercial establishment and collects all relevant samples which will be sent to a competent laboratory for further analysis
3. Diagnosing asbestos
If asbestos was found in your property, evaluate it first before making any action. If the asbestos material found is not damaged, it is best to leave it alone. Although it isn’t risky until damaged, it is still recommended to have it removed.
4. Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal in Melbourne requires experts wear personal protective equipment (PPE) which will be disposed right after the operation. Once asbestos was successfully removed, it should be wrapped with at least 0.2mm-thick plastic bag twice and labelled properly.
5. Asbestos Disposal
Asbestos material found must be disposed along with apparatus and protective gear and clothing used in a proper waste facility.
How does asbestos affect the development of cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma?
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can be trapped in the body?s internal organs such as the lungs. Asbestos fibers can remain in lung tissue for life. Asbestos fibers in the body can trigger chemical reactions that can lead to cancer of asbestos, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. asbestos cancers usually have a long latency period, it can develop decades after exposure to asbestos has occurred.