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Asbestos tiles has been used on a large scale and only in the recent years we have found out that this chemical is hazardous and a repeated exposure can even lead to lung cancer. There is a general awareness of the harmful effects of this chemical. But due to its good fire retarding properties it is still in use in building tiles, around doors for fire insulation, around boilers and at many more places.

The asbestos fibers once released into the air are virtually difficult to destroy as these fibers are not destroyed by the outside environment. The fibers are not visible to the naked human eye so the person is not even aware that he is inhaling the asbestos until a severe disease sets in.

This is the reason people working with and utilizing asbestos need to have awareness about asbestos and its effects on their health. There are asbestos courses that can be taken with the help of doctors but for prolonged exposure there is little these medications can do. The asbestos once it settles down is hard to remove and the disease become chronic.

A few common health issues are lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Lung cancer is the major cause of asbestos related death. If the person is a smoker the chances of him developing lung cancer is more than that of a non smoker. One this that must be done in case lung cancer is detected is to first stop smoking so that the asbestos courses the person is taking are effective for him.

The people involved in the mining, milling and manufacturing of asbestos are a high risk category as the fiber is more susceptible to inhalation. At homes and places where the final product is used there is usually a safety layer to protect the asbestos so that it does not release the harmful asbestos fibers. Once the asbestos material is noted for damage it can be replaced in case of the home but in areas where mining is done it is impossible to stop exposure to the fibers.

The most common symptoms associated with lung cancer are coughing, shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, anemia and hoarseness in voice. Once any of these symptoms are find to recur frequently it is advisable to go for a visit to the doctor immediately. Performing normal tasks like walking, climbing the stairs, will result in heavy breathing and if left unchecked they will result in serious health problems.

Mesothelioma is also a cancer in which a thin layer of asbestos gets settled in the lungs, abdomen, chest and even the heart at times. Miners, textile workers and those involved in manufacturing end products containing asbestos have this disease. Nonmalignant illness caused due to asbestos is diseases that are not cancerous in nature.

Treatments for such diseases become useful only if prolonged exposure is cut down and proper medication is taken. Malignant cancerous diseases are more severe and require surgery, chemotherapy or radiation procedures. If the disease is cancerous the disease becomes chronic and it becomes more difficult to eradicate it with the help of asbestos courses. That is why awareness becomes necessary.

The employees who work constantly with asbestos must be subject to frequent medical examinations to get to know about the disease at an early stage for better treatment results.

Once the person comes to know he might be at risk even if he does not have the symptoms it is better to consult the doctor and get a proper medical examination done to make sure what the level of exposure is. Also treatment at the early stages can help prevent the disease from becoming chronic.