Asbestos exposure is a main concern in many industries, as it has the potential to cause serious health issues such as lung cancer, pleural disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
It’s important to do your best to avoid asbestos exposure at all costs. This holds true both at work and at home. If you know you’ll be in close proximity to asbestos, perhaps when demolishing an old structure, it’s critical to wear the appropriate gear to protect yourself.
Is one-time exposure dangerous?
You should do your best to avoid exposure to asbestos, as there’s no way of knowing the short and long-term impact it will have on your health.
However, asbestos exposure doesn’t guarantee that you’ll develop a serious health problem. Instead, this depends on the frequency of exposure, length of exposure and amount of exposure.
Does your place of employment or home have asbestos?
There may come a point when you learn that your place of employment or home has asbestos. Rather than panic, learn more about the location of the asbestos and whether you’ve come in contact with it.
The best thing you can do is hire a professional to test the property for asbestos.
Generally speaking, asbestos that isn’t disturbed or damaged isn’t a health risk. It’s more of a concern after disturbance, as you’re likely to breathe the fibers into your lungs.
If you have any reason to believe you’ve been around asbestos, do the following:
- Thoroughly wash your body and your clothes
- Pay close attention to any symptoms, such as coughing, and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention
- Avoid the area of exposure until it’s tested and/or the material is gone
Unfortunately, even if you know you were exposed to asbestos, there’s no way of saying if it will have an impact on your health in the future.
If asbestos exposure has resulted in a serious health problem, such as lung cancer or pleural disease, learn more about the steps you can take to reduce your symptoms.
As you receive treatment, turn your attention to where you were exposed to asbestos and the steps you can take to hold the negligent party responsible.
Visit our website for detailed information on asbestos exposure and protecting your legal rights in Washington.