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What is asbestos? Asbestos is a set of minerals which consists of microscopic fibers. It is basically resistant to fire and it does not conduct electricity. Because of that, it has been commonly used in so many homes especially by the late 19th century. Seems like a good construction material isn’t it? But why is the presence of asbestos considered as a threat nowadays? Read on and find out.

The harmful effects of asbestos

Only by the first decade of the 20th century did experts start to recognize the negative effects of asbestos. Asbestos miners started getting sick and so many deaths were eventually attributed to asbestos inhalation. There are different types of asbestos fibers and all of them are dangerous to the health of humans:

• Pleural thickening – One of the top effects of asbestos is pleural thickening. This occurs after one has inhaled huge amounts of asbestos at a given time. Once too much asbestos has been inhaled, the pleural, or the walls of the lungs start to swell, making breathing very difficult. Pleural thickening often occurs in people who are exposed to asbestos-filled structures for the first time.

• Asbestosis – Also among the most common effects of asbestos is asbestosis. It is an inflammatory condition wherein the lungs are scarred due to the inhalation of asbestos for so many years. It is usually too late before patients with asbestosis are diagnosed. Asbestosis could cause shortness of breath and could definitely be fatal.

• Mesothelioma – Another medical condition caused by asbestos is mesothelioma. It can be classified as a type of cancer wherein the lining of the lungs are affected. What is dangerous about mesothelioma, like other types of cancer, is that it is very hard to diagnose. It is usually diagnosed only in its very fatal stages.

Symptoms of asbestos inhalation

It could take years before symptoms of asbestos exposure could start to appear. However, some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, severe headaches, as well as frequent ‘asthma’ attacks. One problem with these symptoms is that they could often be attributed to other factors and that is why it is rare that people consider them as caused by asbestos inhalation.

If you live in a home that has been around for decades, there is a huge chance that it has components made from asbestos. Is anybody in your household suffering from shortness of breath and other breathing complications? They could be victims of asbestos inhalation. Remember that the symptoms of asbestos could take a long time to appear. In fact, some experts say that symptoms could appear only after ten to forty years since asbestos has taken a toll on one’s health.

If you want to make sure that you and your family are safe from the harmful effects of asbestos inhalation, you can always hire the services of Universal Inspect. We offer the best home inspection services at the most affordable prices. We can also make sure that your home is safe from such as mold, radon gas, and other related threats to your health.