Knowing what we know today, it's hard to believe that asbestos was once such a popular building material. Unfortunately, before its many health risks were discovered, asbestos was extensively used in buildings for its insulating and fire retardant properties. Many of these buildings now require asbestos removal and abatement in Victoria by the experts at H.L. Demolition & Waste Management Ltd in order to mitigate potential health hazards. If asbestos fibres are disturbed and inhaled, they can cause numerous cancerous and non-cancerous health conditions.
Non-Cancerous Conditions Caused by Asbestos Exposure One of the main health risks of asbestos exposure is a chronic lung condition known as asbestosis. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibres damage the lungs, creating scar tissue. This weakens the lungs and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains, and cough. As it progresses, asbestosis can even cause finger clubbing and a bluish skin colouration. Pleural disease is another non-cancerous lung condition which has been linked to asbestos exposure. It is characterized by a thickening of the membrane around the lungs and chest cavity and is sometimes accompanied by fluid buildup. Pleural disease can decrease the efficiency of the lungs and cause difficulty breathing. Asbestos exposure has also been known to contribute to the development of laryngitis and to a weakened immune system. The only way to ensure that these health risks are prevented is with professional asbestos removal in Victoria. Cancerous Conditions Caused by Asbestos Exposure Exposure to asbestos fibres can significantly increase a person's chances of developing lung cancer, especially in people who also smoke. Lung cancer develops when cells in the lungs mutate and grow into malignant tumours which block the lung's passageways. Difficult to detect in its early stages, lung cancer can eventually cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, weight loss, and fever. Another type of cancer commonly caused by asbestos is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer characterized by the development of tumours on the chest wall and on the lining of the lungs, as well as on other internal organs. Some symptoms of mesothelioma include dry cough, weakness, fever, weight loss, and shoulder pain. Though early detection can improve mesothelioma prognosis, it can sometimes take over 30 years for symptoms to appear. As with non-cancerous health conditions caused by asbestos, the only way to guarantee that asbestos doesn't cause cancer is to call for Victoria asbestos abatement professionals. Professional Asbestos Abatement and Removal in Victoria Any homes and buildings constructed before 1990 should be inspected by Victoria asbestos removal experts prior to any renovation or demolition. Asbestos may be hiding in places you wouldn't suspect and it will have to be removed in order to protect you, your workers, and any building inhabitants or employees. At H.L. Demolition & Waste Management Ltd, we take every precaution to make sure that any asbestos in a building is abated in the proper manner. For asbestos removal and abatement services in Victoria that you can trust, just contact H.L. Demolition & Waste Management Ltd today.