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Did you know that about 1,900 lung cancers and 430 mesothelioma cancers result from occupational asbestos exposure every year?
The same source notes that asbestos refers to naturally occurring minerals that have many helpful properties despite the dangers asbestos poses to you and yours. Because products with asbestos hold up well to heat and offer superior insulation benefits, asbestos was previously used in everything from attic and wall insulation to flooring and ceiling tiles.
Depending on your home’s construction date, it might have materials with asbestos.
Considering the potential risks associated with asbestos exposure, you’ll want to know how to stay safe. Here’s a look at four things that can increase your risks.
1. Where You Live
As was mentioned previously, your home might include materials containing asbestos fibers. Whether attic insulation, roofing, insulation around piping, flooring, ceiling tiles, or other things, you might have an asbestos problem in your home right now.
You’ll be glad to know that the risk of asbestos exposure is relatively low if you don’t unsettle the fibers. However, if you’re removing flooring that contains asbestos, fibers can become airborne. Breathing in these fibers can cause serious health problems, including cancer. So, if your home is decades old and you need to do some renovations, call a certified asbestos contractor to assess your home for asbestos risks.
2. Where You Work
There’s also an occupational risk component to consider. People working in some industries face a higher risk of suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. At-risk occupations include car mechanics, pipefitters, military personnel, and shipyard workers. So, if you or anyone else you know worked in these sectors before the 1989 ban on products with asbestos, there’s a higher risk of dealing with an asbestos-related sickness.
Family members of workers in these industries also face heightened risks since any asbestos fibers that these workers introduce into the home can impact family members.
3. Where You Go to School
Where you go to school can also impact exposure rates to asbestos. Schools buildings that are old enough to have materials containing asbestos should be tested. Schools typically get inspections done to reduce risks to staff and students. But if you went to school at a time when asbestos risks weren’t known, you might have come into contact with it.
4. Your Hobbies
Yet another way you can potentially increase your risks of asbestos exposure is through hobbies. Depending on the activities in question, you might come into contact with materials with asbestos. Are you a DIYer who likes tackling car maintenance and repairs? Some automotive parts can present asbestos risks. Car brakes are an example. You’ll want to ensure any automotive parts you handle don’t pose health risks.
Meanwhile, some homeowners enjoy doing home renovations independently rather than spending big bucks to hire a contractor. Unfortunately, you could expose yourself to asbestos risks if you breathe in asbestos fibers.
Even something as simple as gardening can boost your risks of asbestos exposure. Remember that asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. If your property has asbestos in the soil, simply working the soil and handling it can lead to health complications.
These are some ways you can increase your risks of asbestos exposure. When looking at the risks, you’ll want to minimize the chances of problems. If, despite your best efforts, you think you’ve been exposed to this cancer-causing mineral, make an appointment to see your doctor. One of the potential consequences of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer that is aggressive. The sooner it’s detected, the better the prognosis and treatment options.