While it may seem like the hazards of asbestos exposure are a thing of the past, the researchers at EWG Action Fund have estimated that as many as 15,000 Americans die every year due to diseases resulting from exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that form as bundles of lightweight fibers. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals, and as a result, asbestos has been used for many things including construction, insulation and fireproofing in homes and buildings for more than a century. Studies have revealed that when asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled by humans, they can cause several health issues and can even be fatal.
Here are a few other things you should know about these harmful mineral fibers:
1. Asbestos is legal in the U.S.
In 1989, after a 10-year study of the harmful effects of asbestos, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation banning the manufacture and distribution of asbestos and many asbestos products. The EPA stated that “asbestos is a human carcinogen and one of the most hazardous substances to which humans are exposed.”
In 1991, the asbestos industry took the EPA to court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned most of the EPA’s ban on asbestos and asbestos products. The court acknowledged that “asbestos is a potential carcinogen at all levels of exposure,” but it claimed that the EPA did not provide enough evidence to justify the ban on asbestos.
Today, the U.S. continues to allow the asbestos industry to manufacture and expose the public to this hazardous material, while several other nations around the world have already banned this dangerous substance.
2. Asbestos is responsible for more deaths annually in the U.S. than skin cancer
As mentioned earlier, asbestos-related diseases kill as many as 15,000 Americans per year, while an estimated 13,000 Americans per year die from skin cancer.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these asbestos-related deaths are caused by three main diseases:
3. Asbestos can be found in children’s toys
Recent tests commissioned by EWG Action Fund showed that four brands of children’s crayons and two “crime scene fingerprint” kits have been contaminated with asbestos, which poses a serious health risk for children.
According to asbestosnation.org, a national campaign developed by EWG Action Fund to educate others about the dangers of asbestos, “The toys, purchased at national retail chains or through online retailers, were tested by two government-certified laboratories, using state-of-the-art equipment. The results are significant because even trace exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and other fatal lung disease.”
For more details on the contaminated toys, check out this article.
4. There is no “safe” level for asbestos exposure
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has stated that there is “no safe level of asbestos exposure for any asbestos fiber,” as even a brief exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in humans.
“Every occupational exposure to asbestos can cause injury or disease; every occupational exposure to asbestos contributes to the risk of getting an asbestos-related disease,” the administration has confirmed.
What should you do if you have asbestos in your home?
Millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos, but there are ways to help protect your home and family from this harmful substance. Materials that contain asbestos are less likely to cause a health risk if they are undamaged and undisturbed, so if you suspect that your home contains asbestos, it’s best to leave it alone. If you decide to have the asbestos materials removed from your home, hire an asbestos professional; the removal process is complex and could increase your family’s exposure if done incorrectly.
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How do you feel about the dangers of asbestos? Please feel to share your thoughts or concerns in the comment section below.Resources:
EWG: Mapping the Deadly Toll of Asbestos – State by State, County by County
EWG: Five Things You Need to Know about Asbestos
National Cancer Institute: Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
EPA: Learn About Asbestos
Wiley Online Library: Cancer Statistics for 2015
USDOL: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/
EPA: Protect Your Family
Oh WOW!! I was aware of the dangers of asbestos, but I wasn’t aware that it is still legal in America and it’s in children’s toys!! Scary!!
Thank you for this very informative article!!
That is crazy that a potential harmful killer is “legal” in the US!!!
I like what this article mentions about there being no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. It definitely makes sense that treating asbestos like the plague would be the wisest way to go as I wouldn’t want to have anyone get exposed to it. I’ll have to look at hiring professionals to come take a look at the building before renovating.
We agree, Tyler. Much better to be safe than sorry when it comes to asbestos. According to http://www.asbestosnetwork.com, hiring a professional can minimize exposure for you and your family.
I thought aspestos was banned. Shocked it still can be found in some toys.
Gross. I can’t believe it’s found in children’s toys!!!
How do we know if our home has asbestos??? 🙁
It’s good to know that asbestos can result in the scarring of lung tissue. My brother has been telling me about how he found some asbestos in his basement the other day. I’ll share this information with him so that he can look into his options for professionals who can help him remove it safely.
https://www.debuild.com.au/asbestos
It’s valuable that you point out that you should hire a professional for asbestos removal due to the safety hazards involved in trying to do it on your own. I discovered that the house I just bought has asbestos, so I’m considering hiring a professional to remove it for me. I’m going to look for a good asbestos removal service in my area to employ.
I find it very concerning that prolonged asbestos exposure could cause lung cancer. My uncle has been overthinking about asbestos lately and he’s curious if there is something that could be done about it. Since you mentioned that there are asbestos professionals who can test and take care of it for him, I’ll go ahead and suggest that.
It’s interesting to know that asbestos has been linked to improving the risk of cancer. My husband and I are thinking about how to prevent health problems in our family, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about your recommendations to understand the benefits of asbestos inspection.
I had no idea that asbestos diseases can kill a lot more people than skin cancer every year and some kits for fingerprints contain it. My dad wants to make sure that he can be a lot safer while working and make sure that none of the kids can be damaged when coming over. He would really like to get it removed by a professional so that he can have his kids together home when he just moved into an older home.
It’s valuable that you mention that asbestos removal needs to be performed by a professional in order to ensure that it is done safely. I just found out that my new house has asbestos in it, so I’m considering hiring a professional to remove it this week. I’m going to see if there’s a good asbestos removal service in my area that I can use.