Why Worry About Asbestos?

The light, fine, and virtually indestructible fibers wreck havoc on the human body. Free asbestos fibers in the air are easily inhaled into the the lungs, and are quite difficult to expel. The lungs try to repair the tiny irritations, which can result in scarring. Scarred lung tissue cannot readily absorb oxygen from the air or easily pass back carbon dioxide. As a result of this process, asbestosis can develop, and may even turn into cancer.

Asbestos exposure can also cause cancer, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and has been linked to gastrointestinal and colon cancer, as well as a slew of other cancers. Mesothelioma most commonly affects of the lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma. This cancer can also affect the abdominal cavity (peritoneal), the lining of the heart (pericardial), and in very rare cases, the testes.

Some of the highest incidences of mesothelioma have not been from adults who worked with asbestos, but among their children. Children are more susceptible to its effects than adults and were often exposed to asbestos since it was carried home on parents' work clothes. This is why there is so much concern about asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in school buildings. Many institutions of higher learning have published surveys of ACM in their buildings, which include plans to manage and prevent further exposure, plans to remove it, and programs to educate local populations about the dangers of disturbing ACM. Some universities even maintain their own accredited asbestos testing labs and abatement crews. If you are at risk for these illnesses because high levels of asbestos exposure, have regular medical checkups.