Workers in the construction Industry have been the most relied-upon trade workers in the history of civilization. No matter the specialty, all construction work is demanding and in many cases hazardous. Often the most obvious hazards are working with the large equipment, electrical tools, or working from heights. However, many threats exist in the construction industry that are not so apparent. One of these threats includes being exposed to hazardous materials like asbestos. Most types of construction workers are at risk of coming into contact with asbestos, especially during demolition or remolding of older buildings. Those most at risk for being exposed to this dangerous substance include electricians, insulators, pipefitters, drywall installers, plumbers and sheet metal workers. However this list is not limited by these occupations. Even flooring and roofing workers can easily be exposed to the dangers of asbestos.
Why is asbestos so bad? Asbestos causes many different diseases, one particularly bad disease is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos which attacks its host's lungs with ferocity. Around 2,500 people of the United Kingdom were diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2012 and the survival rate is staggeringly low. 2,400 of those 2,500 diagnosed in 2012 died from mesothelioma. Research has show that on average that patients diagnosed with mesothelioma live between 4-11 months. Horrifyingly , the exposure to the asbestos is most often due to the negligence of an employer or landlord who knowingly used products containing asbestos. Firefighters, factory workers, auto-mechanics, and shipbuilders are all occupations that come with a higher risk of asbestos exposure.
Early diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital in the prognosis and treatment options for patients due to the fact that often the cancer will come 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to the asbestos. If mesothelioma is caught within its first and second stages treatment is available. However, if left till the later stages the cancer has most likely spread and the prognosis is often grim.
Early detection is key. If you or someone you know thinks they may have been exposed to asbestos at one point in their life it is critical to get to your doctor and let them test you for this deadly cancer.
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