Asbestos - The silent murderer

Asbestos is the only place of work leading cause of death today. People who have worked with the material are at serious risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratory illnesses that debilitate their victims. Evidence of a lethal effect of asbestos in breathing the fibers can grow in the coming decades.

Asbestos was once as the largest building material available to those in the construction industry. Its tensile strength, durability and flexibility as well as thermal insulation and fire retardant properties meant that it could save lives, make buildings strong and make industries rich. It was first used by the Greeks 2000 years ago. They were aware of health risks posed, but believes his magical ability to withstand fire far outweighed this danger.

The dangers to health were almost "forgotten" until the early twentieth century when medical researchers noticed a large number of deaths and lung problems occurring in asbestos mining towns. In 1917 and 1918, several U.S. studies found that asbestos workers were dying unnaturally young.

Asbestosis was first diagnosed in a 33-year-old in 1924, this led to studies being carried out on asbestos workers in the United Kingdom. Tests workers showed that thirty percent had asbestos-related lung disease. The UK laws were introduced in 1931 to increase ventilation and to asbestosis a work-related disease identification.

Despite the established link between asbestos and lung diseases the industry continued to grow well into the last century. At the top of your use of asbestos produced in 24 countries around the world, but was made more than 100. World production climaxed at over 5 million tons. Construction companies, transportation, insulation and demolition, where workers made contact with asbestos were often aware that their staff were at risk. They did not take sufficient measures to protect its workforce of personal injury.

Unfortunately the effects of asbestos take many years to manifest. People who worked in the construction industry from 20 to 40 years, may still be awaiting their fate. Asbestos causes several diseases, two of which occur only in those who have had contact with asbestos, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Lung cancer and emphysema are most commonly associated with smoking but frequently occur in non-smokers with a history of contact with asbestos.

It is believed that the worst is yet to come. The peak use of asbestos in the 60 and 70, so many people may develop lung disease in the near future.

Because the latency of asbestos diseases it is thought that we will see many more incidences of mesothelioma in the next 25 years. Hugh Robertson, head of health and safety at the British TUC says: "A realistic estimate is that within the EU alone 500,000 will die over the next 35 years, half from mesothelioma and a half of lung cancer in Japan is estimated that 100,000 will die.. If you add up the figures from Australia, Canada and the U.S. then to a million is an underestimate? and is only for developed countries. "

People affected by asbestos are entitled to compensation from the companies who knowingly exposed them many years ago.

People affected by asbestos-related disease should talk to a personal injury lawyer with experience in asbestos cases.

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