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What is it?

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Asbestos is a group of six different fibrous minerals: These six minerals are crocidolite, amosite, chrysotile, and also different fibrous varieties of tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, They fibers occur naturally in soil and rocks in many areas. The resilience of these micro pieces make them hard to eliminate this is why they are so dangerous. The fibers vary in length and may be straight or curled and are very pliable.

It is and has been used in a wide range of manufactured goods both in the construction industry: roofing shingles, floor & ceiling tiles, paper products, cement products, in the automotive industry in friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), textiles, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. They were also used extensively in the shipbuilding industry for years.

In what ways does it harm the human body?

The thing that makes asbestos so good for manufacturing is the same thing that makes it so bad for the body; it’s durability and resistance to chemicals & outside forces. When the particles become airborne they are microscopic in size and easily inhaled. Once inside the body they lodge themselves in the lining of the major organs known as the mesothelium.

Once the small fiber is inhaled into the body it makes it way into the cavity which hold the major organs and becomed enbedded there. The body then begins to release acid to try to destroy the fiber, but instead causes damage to the body itself. Years after the original exposure to asbestos scarring and fluid build up are found withing the lungs causing either mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Symptoms of mesothelioma closely mask other less serious disease making it hard to diagnose especially since it may have been between 20-50 years since the original exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms also can mirror other diseases such as pneumonia complicating and delaying correct treatment.