Asbestos Facts and Statistics

Posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2016 at 2:35 pm    

This article discusses basic asbestos facts and statistics. It also discusses general asbestos exposure facts and history.

Asbestos Facts and Statistics

  • Asbestos becomes a potential risk when asbestos fibers are airborne and breathed into the lungs
  • Asbestos fibers are released into the air from disturbances, such as cutting, sawing, wear and tear of asbestos materials
  • To the naked eye asbestos fibers look like dust particles
  • It was first confirmed in 1942 that asbestos exposure causes cancer
  • Mesothelioma was for the first time definitively linked to asbestos exposure in 1964
  • Mesothelioma is the second most diagnosed cancer. It is caused by asbestos exposure
  • Asbestos exposure is almost exclusively responsible for all mesothelioma cases
  • In the late 1970s the U.S. stopped the use of asbestos with a few exceptions
  • Asbestos has been declared a known human carcinogen because of its association with deadly cancers like mesothelioma and asbestosis
  • The peak period of asbestos use was between late 1930s and the end of the 1970s
  • U.S Navy veterans who served during World War II and in the Korean Conflict have the highest incidence of asbestos related diseases
  • 30 million pounds of asbestos are still used annually in the U.S.
  • Asbestos accounts for 54% of all work related cancers (according to Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation)
  • The number one cause of workplace cancers in the U.S. is asbestos
  • Since 1979 about 45000 Americans have died as a result of asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis
  • Asbestos is still mined in the many countries today. One such country is Canada.
  • No amount of asbestos exposure is safe
  • Exposure to asbestos increases the chances of contracting other types of lung cancer
  • The combination of asbestos exposure and smoking significantly increases ones chances of developing lung cancer
  • Asbestos can be found today in many schools, homes and commercial/industrial buildings
  • Asbestos was once used in more than 3000 different consumer products. One such product is hairdryers.
  • Talcum powder has been known to contain asbestos
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