Asbestos, a material that has been recently linked to cancer, was widely used in buildings in Australia. Asbestos’ great tensile strength and heat and corrosion resistance made it a popular construction material by the mid-1980s when it was found in everything from pipes to walls throughout the nation. Following its 2003 prohibition due to safety concerns, asbestos removal in Wollongong got underway right away. Despite the restriction, the substance could still be found in many Wollongong residences, particularly the older ones dating back decades.
As was the case with the Wollongong recycling problem in 2018, the government retaliated harshly against businesses and industries that continued to utilise asbestos without paying any heed to the rules. Because of the millions of tonnes of asbestos still found in Wollongong homes’ ceilings, pipes, and walls, asbestos removal in Wollongong is a common practice.
Consequences for Human Health of Prolonged Exposure
People in Wollongong are mostly exposed to asbestos via inhalation of fibres that have been stuck in their respiratory tracts or other organs. Chronic exposure to these fibres leads them to become more immense masses, which in turn creates a lot of issues. Toxic lung illness induced by long-term inhalation of asbestos Workers who handled the substance back then had scarring of the lungs and breathing difficulties.
Asbestosis is characterised by:
- Long-lasting coughs with no relief.
- Breathing or working out might cause tightness or soreness in the chest.
- When taking a breath, you may hear a crackling sound in your chest and lungs.
- The broadening of the fingers and toes is a sign of clubbing.
Lung cancer was common for miners and handlers of asbestos, and exposure to more asbestos indicated an enormous risk in the long term. Mesothelioma, a rare kind of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs’ internal organs, was a consequence of severe exposure. After a decade or two, asbestos-related cancer was found in the families of employees or those who lived near asbestos industries. Those exposed to asbestos had stomach cancer, and a small percentage developed kidney or throat cancer too.
Even though it was not malignant, the pleural disease killed its victims by drastically altering the lungs’ and chest’s surrounding membrane. During strenuous physical activity, thick membranes or a considerable buildup of fluid in the lungs reduces the effectiveness of the lungs during breathing.
In the Event of Asbestos Exposure, What Should People Do?
Despite the potential for side effects, there is no known danger from short-term exposure to asbestos fibres. People who are often exposed to asbestos must monitor their health and well-being. Asbestos cannot be removed from the human body. So, if there are any signs of asbestos exposure, do everything you can to minimise it.
If you have trouble breathing or a persistent cough, get emergency medical attention. To maintain tabs on their exposure, you may want to frequently remain in contact with the doctors.
Get a new work or relocate from a region if you’ve been exposed to asbestos for a long time. Nothing is worth jeopardising one’s health for the next 10 to 20 years.
Tobacco products that injure the lungs should be avoided at all costs. If you smoke when exposed to asbestos, your chance of developing lung cancer or other ailments increases.
