Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is the generic term for a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to thermal, chemical, and electrical conditions.
Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard.
Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA. Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Health risks commonly associated with exposure to asbestos include:
- Asbestosis - a condition in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue, making breathing more and more difficult, often requiring the victim to use oxygen.
- Cancer - cancer of the lungs is the most common cancer associated with exposure. Other areas may become cancerous including the throat, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys.
- Mesothelioma - a rare, often fatal cancer, usually occurring in the chest cavity.
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9-7. What is a health risk commonly associated with asbestos?
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