What should I do if I have been exposed to asbestos fiber? This is one of the most common questions everyone asks when dealing with the asbestos diseases. Basically not everyone that is exposed will develop asbestos related disease. This is because it takes quite long time, ranging from ten to fifty years to appear, it is important to keep diary of the how the exposure to asbestos occurred. Pay attention to the following notes:
- The address and date of where you got exposed to the disease
- The details pertinent to: Why were you in the area where the fiber was caused?, Were you at work on the premises?, Were you hired to remove or repair asbestos?, Were you passing by, or perhaps by-stander? Did you live close to the premises where the fiber was located?
- What was being carried out which caused the asbestos dust?
- Was it the removal of asbestos?
- Was it a repair work?
- Was it simply cleaning up subsequent to asbestos removed or repaired?
- Who was there at the time of asbestos exposure? You definitely should exchange names and addresses with those who were present, for the evidence of asbestos exposure.
- Who was held responsible for the work being done?
- Get the details of the employer that schedule the work
- Try to get the name and location of the owner of the premises
- If you were hired on the project being carried, you need to keep your pay slips, tax return, group certificates, and so on.
When is Asbestos Hazardous?
Asbestos fibers can be measured as they get into the air. They are measured in units which are called fibers per cubic centimeter of air, also known as f/cc. one cubic centimeter is approximately the size of sugar cube. The ir is going to be checked for asbestos fibers by getting samples of the air using several methods of air sampling. The Minnesota Department of Health established a clean air level of 0.01 f/cc. when asbestos is released into the air, it also enters surrounding environment. You can get exposed to asbestos if you get into these environments.
When exposed to asbestos, a lot of factors contribute to whether harmful health impacts will occur. These heath factors include how much asbestos fibers are ingested, how long is the exposure to asbestos, the pathway by which you get exposed (eating, breathing, or drinking), and the other chemicals to which you get exposed. There are some individual characteristics which may also have effects, including age, gender, family traits, nutritional status, lifestyle, and also your general health condition.
Is there any way of Knowing If I have been Exposed to Asbestos?
The most common test which is used to learn if you have been exposed to asbestos includes chest x-ray. X-ray cannot detect asbestos fibers on their own, yet can detect the early signs of lung disease due to asbestos. The other tests, such as computer-aided tomography and lung scan, are also helpful to detect any changes occurring in the lungs.
