3 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Asbestos

Thankfully, asbestos is not a common material in today's world. Since scientists discovered how toxic it is to the human body, people have made efforts to rid every single building in the United States of it. However, because it was so widespread in the past, there are many interesting things that you may not understand about it. If you want to satisfy your curiosity or are dealing with asbestos left over in your home, you should read on. Below, we’ve outlined some interesting facts you likely didn't know about asbestos.

It Has Caused Work-Related Deaths

One fact you likely didn't know about asbestos is that it’s among the top causes of work-related deaths in the world. Even though it’s a toxic mineral that people work to continuously get rid of in the US and other countries, many less fortunate places still use it because of its affordability. As such, builders tend to use it as insulation in many structures, leading to increased levels of exposure. The continuous use of asbestos in some countries has led to it being the number one cause of work-related deaths there. As you can see, if you find that your home has asbestos, you must get asbestos abatement whenever possible.

There’s No Safe Exposure Level

Another interesting thing about asbestos is that it’s one of the few toxic minerals with no safe exposure level. So even if you have minimal exposure, you’re still at risk of developing mesothelioma (the primary disease that arises from asbestos) and other cancers. This is because asbestos exposure doesn’t need to reach a minimum level to cause damage to your system. Even the smallest inhalation can lead to horrifying outcomes in the future. This is why it’s so important for you to call an asbestos removal company when the time arises when you need to remove this toxin from your home. An asbestos removal team has the specific PPE that’s necessary for the safe handling of this material.

The Resulting Issues Can Develop Over Decades

One of the most interesting facts you probably didn't know about asbestos is that mesothelioma may take years to develop and become known. It may seem odd, but the time between exposure and the first symptoms arising is often in the 40- to 50-year range, making it one of the most long-term toxins common in many environments. This slow development should also make it clear how dangerous this toxin can be, as no matter how much time has passed since you experienced exposure, it can still affect you.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our three interesting facts about asbestos that you probably didn't know about asbestos. Be sure to reach out to Air Safe if you require asbestos or vermiculite removal of any kind!