Asbestos First-Aid: What to do if You've Been Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos is a toxic material that has been permeated to each concrete house, buildings, and other structures all over the world. It can be found in the materials used in the constructions of homes and other structures.
Those materials that contain asbestos are the following:
roof shingles and sidings
popcorn ceilings
vermiculite insulation
ceiling tiles and coatings
drywall
cement sheets
plaster, putties and caulking
electrical switchboard panels
plumbing fixtures
pipe and duct coverings
thermal boiler
fireplace insulations
vinyl floor tiles
Asbestos is carcinogenic, which means it can cause cancer, most prominently mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Above 80% of this cancer are caused by the patient's exposure to asbestos.
There is an extremely long latency period of the development of the disease from the exposure to asbestos. It takes about 25 to 50 years before one who has been exposed to the mineral develop mesothelioma. Patients are typically given a life expectancy of 12 to 21 months. The reason for this is the resistance of Mesothelioma to radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
Asbestos is a very serious menacing threat to our health particularly because it is hard to detect the mineral by human senses. For one, although is spreads too easily through the air, it is odourless. It also do not cause any irritation when in contact with the skin. This is just some of the reasons why containment effort and removal should only be done by asbestos abatement professionals.
Read on to get some ideas on what to do in case you've been exposed to asbestos.
In case you have inhaled asbestos dust:
There is no way to expel asbestos dust once it found its way into your system. There are, however, some things that you can do to mitigate the risk. First, step out and leave the contaminated area immediately. Look for an open space that will allow you to breathe fresh air.
It is important though, that if you are going to rescue somebody who has been exposed to the asbestos fibres, to first protect yourself by wearing a protective equipment, such as a mask, from the toxic material.
In case you had a skin contact with the asbestos dust:
Immediately leave the contaminated area. It is highly likely that the asbestos dust might have contaminated your clothes, remove them carefully and put them in a sealed plastic bag.
It is advisable to stay in the shower for not less than 5 minutes when washing your skin. Only use mild soap and never rub your skin. To thoroughly wash away the asbestos dust, make sure to keep the water continuously flowing.
In case asbestos dust contaminated your eyes:
When the asbestos duct reached your eyes, it will sting. Rubbing it however will not do you any good. It is best to immediately flush your eyes with gently flowing lukewarm water for not less than five minutes when it's contaminated with asbestos dust or fibers.
Another thing that you can do is to flush water in your eyes gently with clean hands. If these first aids do not help and pain or irritation still persist, the person whose eyes was contaminated with asbestos dust must be advised to immediately visit a doctor.
If you accidentally ingested asbestos fibers:
The same as the other cases above, you must leave the contaminated premise immediately. After that, gently rinse your mouth with clean water. If you still feel unwell, immediately call poison control or an emergency doctor.
ADX Asbestos Removal, 125 S Clark St. Chicago IL 60603, 773-345-7074
Asbestos is a toxic material that has been permeated to each concrete house, buildings, and other structures all over the world. It can be found in the materials used in the constructions of homes and other structures.
Those materials that contain asbestos are the following:
roof shingles and sidings
popcorn ceilings
vermiculite insulation
ceiling tiles and coatings
drywall
cement sheets
plaster, putties and caulking
electrical switchboard panels
plumbing fixtures
pipe and duct coverings
thermal boiler
fireplace insulations
vinyl floor tiles
Asbestos is carcinogenic, which means it can cause cancer, most prominently mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Above 80% of this cancer are caused by the patient's exposure to asbestos.
There is an extremely long latency period of the development of the disease from the exposure to asbestos. It takes about 25 to 50 years before one who has been exposed to the mineral develop mesothelioma. Patients are typically given a life expectancy of 12 to 21 months. The reason for this is the resistance of Mesothelioma to radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
Asbestos is a very serious menacing threat to our health particularly because it is hard to detect the mineral by human senses. For one, although is spreads too easily through the air, it is odourless. It also do not cause any irritation when in contact with the skin. This is just some of the reasons why containment effort and removal should only be done by asbestos abatement professionals.
Read on to get some ideas on what to do in case you've been exposed to asbestos.
In case you have inhaled asbestos dust:
There is no way to expel asbestos dust once it found its way into your system. There are, however, some things that you can do to mitigate the risk. First, step out and leave the contaminated area immediately. Look for an open space that will allow you to breathe fresh air.
It is important though, that if you are going to rescue somebody who has been exposed to the asbestos fibres, to first protect yourself by wearing a protective equipment, such as a mask, from the toxic material.
In case you had a skin contact with the asbestos dust:
Immediately leave the contaminated area. It is highly likely that the asbestos dust might have contaminated your clothes, remove them carefully and put them in a sealed plastic bag.
It is advisable to stay in the shower for not less than 5 minutes when washing your skin. Only use mild soap and never rub your skin. To thoroughly wash away the asbestos dust, make sure to keep the water continuously flowing.
In case asbestos dust contaminated your eyes:
When the asbestos duct reached your eyes, it will sting. Rubbing it however will not do you any good. It is best to immediately flush your eyes with gently flowing lukewarm water for not less than five minutes when it's contaminated with asbestos dust or fibers.
Another thing that you can do is to flush water in your eyes gently with clean hands. If these first aids do not help and pain or irritation still persist, the person whose eyes was contaminated with asbestos dust must be advised to immediately visit a doctor.
If you accidentally ingested asbestos fibers:
The same as the other cases above, you must leave the contaminated premise immediately. After that, gently rinse your mouth with clean water. If you still feel unwell, immediately call poison control or an emergency doctor.
ADX Asbestos Removal, 125 S Clark St. Chicago IL 60603, 773-345-7074