In the past, building standards were not as strict and far more relaxed then what they are today. This means there were a number of various materials used in everyday construction because they were cheaper to work with. Unfortunately, it has been found out that some of the materials used pose a serious health risk, and only now people are starting to see the affects it is having on a person’s health.
The one material that brings the most concern is the prior use of asbestos in building and roof materials. At the time, asbestos posed no real serious health risks. Now however, it is known that if asbestos materials are broken up or disturbed the asbestos particles can enter the respiratory system and lungs.
The thing with asbestos poisoning is that the effects don’t show immediately and sometimes take years to surface when it might be too late to do anything about it. There are three main illnesses caused by asbestos listed below.
The first is, Mesothelioma, this is a cancer that affects the lungs and the lining of them, in addition to the digestive track.
The second is, Asbestosis, this is scarring of the lungs, which comes about from long periods of exposure to damaged asbestos throughout the years. Shortness of breath, that worsens over the years is one of the symptoms.
The third is, Lung Cancer, those who are smokers have a higher risk of this disease if asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs.
If you have any concern regarding the materials used in the construction of your home, especially if it’s over 30 years old contact a professional home inspection company. They usually offer a free consultation, and if they are not certified to handle asbestos inspections, they can refer you to a certified asbestos inspector.
If you would like to know a detailed list of items in your home that might contain asbestos, you can read more via the Consumer Product Safety Commission, here.
