Asbestos Illness
Asbestos is a mineral that breaks down into thin strands, or as they're more commonly
known; fibres. Asbestos is essentially a rock so when its hard fibres enter the
body they cannot be broken down by our normal self-defence systems. Thus, when inhaled
into the lungs they remain there, often entering the soft lining (the pleura). This
can cause serious breathing disorders and cancers.
Asbestos disease is caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres, normally
in your job, but potentially through exposure to products in the workplace or the
home. Asbestos fibres are microscopic and are invisible to the eye so its not always
obvious that your are being exposed and, as with smoking, some people will be effected
more than others.
Often people do not realise that they are being exposed to asbestos because many
still believe that asbestos is something you find on shed roofs. In fact, there
are hundreds of uses of asbestos products and
many workers are still being exposed on a daily basis. You are at greatest danger
if your company have not complied with the asbestos regulations and identified instances
of asbestos materials at your workplace.
If you regularly work with asbestos (or in the presence of asbestos materials) then
you need to be adequately trained and equiped to deal with the dangers.
Exposure to asbestos
Asbestos illnesses typically take around 10-30 years to fully develop so many of
those exposed to asbestos fibres will be unaware of disorders. The people most at
risk will have worked in industries where they regularly used asbestos materials.
Workers such as builders, electricians, plumbers, car workers and those involved in heavy
industry are at risk. Most recently exposure has started to effect fitters, network technicians
and asbestos workers where they have regularly exposed themselves to fibres by disturbing
materials in-situ.
Exposure can come through less likely routes and teachers working on blackboards that contained
asbestos fibres have been known to contract diseases such as mesothelioma. If you suspect that you may have
an asbestos-related disease it is essential to contact your GP.
Asbestos Compensation
The number of cases of serious asbestos-related disorders has given rise to a whole
industry of asbestos compensation lawyers. There are often large sums of compensation
available if you can prove that your previous employer has unneccessarily exposed
you to asbestos fibres or neglected to provide adequate protection.