Asbestos Removal CALGARY

Asbestos is a generic name for minerals that are made up of fibers that are natural fire retardants. They do not burn easily and withstand heat well. Many types of these minerals have been mined throughout history, though not all types are equally dangerous or pose the same risks to human health. Put simply, asbestos refers to the six naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, strong fibers that are resistant to heat and fire. Asbestos can be divided into two categories: Serpentine asbestos is commonly known as “Mermiculite” and Chrysotile asbestos is most widely used around the world.

Asbestos was used because of its resistance to fire, heat, and electrical current. It also had insulating properties that made it valuable for many types of applications. Asbestos can be found in insulation material, stucco, concrete blocks, drywall joint compound, and other building materials. Because asbestos fibers are so small, breathable, and durable, they were widely used in the past. There are also theories that smoking may have played a part in increased asbestos exposure. The very fibers which make it so effective at protecting against fire can become harmful when inhaled or ingested.

When these naturally occurring minerals are broken up into microscopic fibers and released into the atmosphere, they can be inhaled or ingested and cause various types of cancers. These microscopic asbestos fibers stick to the lining of the lungs and irritate the tissues. Over long periods of time, this irritation can lead to scarring and inflammation which in turn can lead to cancerous tumors such as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos as a young adult is more likely to lead to cancer than as an older person.

Asbestos fibers can remain in any part of the lungs and remain lodged there for many years. These fibers cause scarring within the tissues and over time these damaged areas form tumors that invade other tissues and organs. When the disease has progressed, these tumors can reach various vital organs like the lungs or heart. This is why asbestos inhalation is linked to cancers like mesothelioma, as well as lung cancer, and other types of cancers.

Yes, Chrysotile asbestos fibers are soft and curly whereas amphibole fibers are straight and needle-like due to their crystalline structure. Chrysotile asbestos fibers are more flexible and tend to be longer than amphibole fibers, which are stiffer and shorter.

The jury is still out about whether chrysotile asbestos is less harmful than amphibole types of asbestos. While there is no definitive answer yet, some say that amphibole asbestos fibers are more dangerous because they remain in the lungs longer and cause more damage over time

People can be exposed to asbestos fibers on a short-term basis by inhaling the dust during the installation or repair of products containing asbestos. They may also be exposed by working with it daily for long periods of time without proper protection, such as protective gear like gloves and masks. Finally, people who live in homes built before the 1970s may be exposed to asbestos fibers that have seeped into the surrounding soil and air due to deteriorating insulation or siding that contains asbestos.

There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos because even low levels of exposure can cause cancer years down the road.

Chrysotile asbestos can be found in Canada, parts of Europe and Asia, and other parts of the world where it has been mined or processed since the late 1800s. Countries that mine or industry asbestos still today include Russia, China, and Brazil.

Asbestos inhalation leads to an increased risk of developing various types of cancers, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the protective lining of various organs. It can affect the lungs, heart, and abdomen of people who have had prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic coughing, and fatigue. Doctors treat mesothelioma by removing the tumor or using radiation or chemotherapy to shrink or halt the growth of tumors.

This cancer forms in the protective lining around major organs like the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Mesothelioma is known as an asbestos-related cancer because people who are exposed to asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time have an increased risk of developing this type of cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, and chest pain or tightness. People with advanced stages of this cancer may also experience swelling in their neck, arms, or legs due to fluid building up in the chest cavity around the lungs.

Most people with mesothelioma undergo surgery to remove fluid buildup or tumors around the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Other types of therapy include radiation therapy and chemotherapy in which doctors administer drugs to shrink cancer cells or stop them from spreading in the body.

Asbestos inhalation is not treatable once it has occurred, but symptoms associated with mesothelioma are treatable with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy depending on the location and extent of tumors in the body.