Dangers of Asbestos

 Asbestos has three characteristics that make it hazardous.

It is chemically resistant, including acids and other acids. (It's a naturally formed rock that takes the shape of lengthy strands)

When the fibres are treated or agitated, they split rather than break in half. Instead of short, stubby strands, this results in long, sharp fibres. Those fibres are extremely robust and long-lasting. 

The treated fibres' miniscule size allows them to float in the air for a long period (days) and be inhaled into the smallest parts of your lungs, the alveoli, which are tiny air sacks where CO2, Oxygen exchange takes place. They can embed themselves in lung cells or become caught in the alveoli, and because they don't degrade chemically, they can stay there for a long time.

That means the fibres can continue to injure your body,
form scar tissue, or migrate around inside your body, inflicting damage wherever they go. Combining asbestos fibres and cigarette smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by roughly 90 times when compared to not smoking or being exposed to asbestos. This symbiotic effect is likely due to the asbestos fibres poking holes in the lung cells, allowing bacteria to enter and cause lung cancer.

It is not only asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma that are caused by exposure to asbestos, but also pleural plaques and other effects that reduce lung function and ultimately cause death.

Because asbestos occurs naturally in rocks, you can get exposure to asbestos without working with or disturbing manufactured asbestos products. That is another long answer! 

Also Read: Asbestos Removal Essex.