Serious Health Hazards: Asbestos causes unnecessary deaths, and the situation will persist.
Occupational Hazards: Construction workers, laborers, factory workers, engineers, etc., face health risks when exposed to asbestos.
Long-term Effects: Evidence from decades ago has shown that the use of asbestos should be stopped.
Household Hazards: Asbestos is introduced into homes, schools, and hospitals.
How Asbestos Harms
Airborne: Asbestos is released into the air, and inhaling asbestos dust is dangerous.
Old Houses and Buildings: Many old buildings contain asbestos materials, such as vinyl tile flooring.
Renovation and Demolition Process: Tiny dust particles are released into the air during these processes, becoming a deadly threat.
Lack of Protective Measures: Asbestos was widely used before 1978, but lacked corresponding protective measures.
Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Cell Damage: After asbestos dust enters the lungs, cells of the immune system attempt to break them down, getting damaged and dying in the process.
Scar Tissue: Scar tissue forms around the dead cells and continues to develop, eventually causing the lungs to cease functioning.
Personal Experiences and Lessons
Work Without Protection: The narrator recounts working in the seventies without respiratory protection, coveralls, etc., leading to significant asbestos exposure.
Home Renovation Risks: During home renovations, large amounts of asbestos were exposed due to a lack of proper protective measures.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Mesothelioma: A type of cancer that affects the lining of internal organs.
Asbestosis: The leading cause of death among workers in some regions, with severe impacts.
Recommendations for Safe Asbestos Handling
Conduct Asbestos Tests: Be sure to conduct asbestos tests when renovating or demolishing old houses.
Qualified Handling: Only trained and qualified individuals should remove asbestos.
Seek Information: For more information on asbestos, visit worksafebc.com.