Asbestos exposure can impact your health and leave you battling symptoms that could develop into chronic illnesses. Even a minor presence of asbestos can have dangerous consequences, particularly if you or other family members already experience respiratory issues.
When you know where in your home asbestos lurks and the risks it presents, you can make confident decisions about your family’s well-being.
Identifying exposure
Doctors have linked asbestos exposure to various types of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Homes built in the mid to late-1900s often have a higher exposure to asbestos considering the number of construction products used during this time period that contained asbestos. However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, manufacturers can still use asbestos legally.
Here are some common areas where asbestos pathogens could exist:
- Textured paint
- Vinyl flooring and adhesives
- Wall insulation
- Coatings on pipes
- Roofing
- Siding
Exposure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of appetite among others. If ignored, these symptoms could persist and you could develop serious side effects that could permanently scar your lungs and put you at high risk of developing cancer.
Making changes
If you worry that your home has a substantial presence of asbestos, you may need to rely on a professional abatement team to eradicate the hazard from your home. While you can do things to remove the pathogens yourself, increasing your exposure may only worsen your symptoms.
In serious cases where you have developed illnesses because of asbestos exposure, you may consider working with an attorney to build a case. If reckless or dangerous methods unnecessarily compromised your health, holding the perpetrators accountable may result in some financial relief for you.
