Can you survive asbestos?
Yes, you can live with asbestosis for years, but there is no cure for this progressive condition. Patients live an average of 10 years with asbestosis. Lung transplantation is the best long-term treatment for asbestosis, but few patients qualify for this serious procedure.
What happens if I am exposed to asbestos?
Short-term exposure to asbestos dust can lead to mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. But unless the exposure is intense, the risk of cancer from short-term exposure is very low.
Why is asbestos considered a health hazard?
Asbestos is a serious health hazard, because the substance is composed of mineral fibers that can damage delicate body tissues. In most cases, asbestos fibers enter the body via inhalation. The body is unable to cough up or otherwise expel the fibers, and they are highly durable, and cannot be broken down by the body.
Will asbestos kill you?
Asbestos can kill you. You must take extra precau tions when you work with asbestos. Just because you do not notice any problems while you are working with asbestos, it still may be causing problems that will appear later in life. The asbestos fibers that can harm you are too small to see.
What is asbestos, and why is it harmful?
The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact, asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested.
How does asbestos effect your health?
While asbestos can be dangerous, it doesn’t present a health risk if left undisturbed. But if material containing asbestos is damaged, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibres. When the dust is breathed in, the asbestos fibres enter the lungs and can gradually damage them over time.