Asbestos exposure is dangerous, there’s no doubt about that, but why is it so important to get your asbestos problem resolved ASAP? As Ohio’s top asbestos removal company, we here at SafeAir have plenty of experience with the devastation that asbestos exposure can cause and today we’re sharing some of that experience with you.
Asbestos Exposure: Why Immediate Asbestos Removal is Necessary
We are all familiar with the risk of cancer that’s associated with exposure to asbestos, but cancer isn’t the only thing you have at risk when you leave a known asbestos problem untreated!
Lung Scarring
Part of what makes asbestos exposure so dangerous is that asbestos fibers can cause lasting damage to your lungs and respiratory tract. As fibers from the asbestos-contaminated material are breathed in and those fibers begin to buildup in the lungs. This buildup then causes lasting scarring to the tissue in your lungs and respiratory tract and can lead to difficulty and compromised functioning of the lungs.
What does this mean for you? It means that even decades from now, you could still be experiencing breathing and respiratory distress because your lungs are simply not as flexible as they need to be because of a buildup of scar tissue.
Lung Inflammation
Just as the ongoing inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause your lungs to develop problems with elasticity due to scar tissue, it can also cause inflammation of lung tissue. As with a loss of elasticity, inflammation in lung tissue can restrict the ability of lungs to take in air and it can also create a great deal of discomfort when breathing.
The longer the period that your lungs remain inflamed, the more discomfort you will continue to experience and the higher your risk of more advanced side effects of asbestos exposure on your ability to breathe.
The Length of Asbestos Exposure Influences the Severity of Illness
If you discover asbestos-contaminated material in your home and don’t address the problem right away, you should know that the longer that you breathe in rogue asbestos fibers, the higher your chances are of developing a more serious health condition. That is why asbestos removal professionals always recommend asbestos removal or asbestos abatement ASAP.
Exacerbation of Existing Conditions
Another problem that occurs when asbestos is present in a home or workplace is that individuals with existing health conditions can have those conditions worsened by exposure to asbestos. For example, if a child already has asthma and they are exposed to asbestos, they are likely to experience more asthma attacks as well as attacks that are worse in severity.
Asbestos Exposure During Pregnancy
Another important health risk to consider if you have been exposed to asbestos is that of the effects of asbestos on an unborn child. Although there exists no hard evidence that asbestos exposure can directly affect an unborn child, there is still the risk that it can indirectly affect an unborn child through the mother. For example, if you are pregnant and suffer from respiratory distress as a result of asbestos exposure, your unborn child may then suffer from a restricted oxygen supply which can result in poor development, brain damage, or even death.
If you are expecting a child and suspect that your home or workplace are contaminated by asbestos, it’s crucial that you relocate to a safe space until your asbestos problem has been taken care of. During this time you should also check in frequently with your doctor to ensure that your child is growing at a healthy rate and not experiencing any setbacks in their development.
Getting Help With Asbestos Related Health Care
In addition to getting your problem asbestos removed from your home or business, it’s also necessary to follow up with your doctor for aftercare related to any potential side effects related to your exposure to asbestos. In some cases, Medicare coverage, a Federal Employees’ Compensation Program, or other workman’s compensation programs may take care of the cost of asbestos-related illness. If you find yourself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to affording asbestos-exposure related health care, you may also be able to recover medical expenses by pursuing an employer or building company in court.
Want to Avoid these Problems Associated with Asbestos Exposure?
If you’re looking to avoid these problems associated with asbestos exposure and you live in Ohio or western Pennsylvania, SafeAir Contractors can help! Just pick up the phone and give us a call today at 440-639-1191 and we’ll get started on the elimination of your asbestos problem right away!
