CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL WHICH ALSO BUILDS UP CANCER

At present, the names of several new diseases like COVID-19 and new virus strains like corona virus, Ebola virus are making us feel scared to roam around countries or even regions near us. But there is a disease which has sowed the seeds of fear in the minds of people across different locations for different generations. It is nothing but Cancer, which is one of the deadly diseases and it is even mentioned in papyrus records dating back to 1500 B.C. The several substances or chemicals or constituents, which offer high risk to human and lead to the development of cancer cells or causative agent of Cancer in a human are termed as Carcinogens. Though there are no effective evidences of onset of cancer due to these carcinogens, several theories have proposed the increase in risk of cancer due to these carcinogens. This post details on one of the commonly available carcinogens whose harmful actions are covered up with its advantages, the Asbestos. 

Asbestos is commonly used for construction purposes

Asbestos is generally used to refer six naturally occurring silicates. They are mostly available as fibres and also as amorphous materials. The asbestos provides electrical resistance, thermal resistance and also mechanical strength to the compounds they are bonded with. Asbestos is in use from the Stone age but the maximum exploitation began during the Second World War period for ship building. 

THE HARMFUL EFFECTS
Asbestos enters into the human being either by breathing or by ingestion. 

Asbestos exposure occurs either at its production site or during the removal of the older asbestos sheets from buildings. 

Older buildings are made of asbestos which becomes risk during its removal

Asbestos being fibrous or amorphous (in powder form), can easily enter into the nasal cavity from the workspace. Also, the inhaled asbestos may reach the lungs or it may get dissolved with saliva and enter the digestive tract. But the primary target area is the Lungs. The fibres are usually cast out through sneezing or other body effects. But if it enters the pleura, the fibres can lead to inflammation and swelling of pleura. This increases the risk factor of pleural effusions which lead to severe breathing issues in human. Also, asbestos increases risk of asbestosis (Lung inflammation), mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer etc. Ingestion of asbestos leads to increased risk of digestive cancers.

Pleura - Primary target of asbestos

 Nearly 1 Million cases have been treated due to the exposure to Asbestos. There is no sudden reflection in health after exposure to asbestos but the effects can be felt during the course of time. 

AFTERMATH
The safety regulations of asbestos use have been revised
Asbestos usage has been banned in several countries for the manufacturing of construction materials
Asbestos has been declared as a Group 1 Carcinogen by IARC

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
In countries like India, the already existing asbestos in building still prove to be dangerous. The run off water from asbestos should not be collected and used. Also, during removal of asbestos sheet, proper safety measures are to be carried out. It should also be noted that a single time exposure has not proved to affect the people immediately. 

KNOW ABOUT ALL THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AROUND YOU AND FOLLOW THE NECESSARY SAFETY PROCEDURES TO PREVENT RISKS