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815 Demolition Safety
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Asbestos Health Hazards

Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA.

Debris containing hazardous asbestos
Asbestos is regulated by OSHA and EPA.

Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye and cause scar-like tissue and cancer. Exposure to asbestos causes two common diseases: asbestosis and mesothelioma:

Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that develops due to prolonged and significant exposure to asbestos fibers. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue over time. This scarring, known as fibrosis, can impair lung function and lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, chest tightness, and decreased exercise tolerance.

Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleural), but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal), heart (pericardial), or testicles (testicular). It is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

7-2. What can occur if you breathe in asbestos fibers?