The Effects of Asbestos on Public Health - Research Paper Example

A Public Health Issue on the Effects of Asbestos The public health is one of the main concerns specifically of medical science. Included in the said concern is the study of materials that are commonly used both in households and in different industries. The objective of the study is to be able to present the main issues revolving on one of the main materials and products in the household and in different industries, asbestos. Specifically, the focus of the research undertaken is to be able to establish the effects of asbestos in the quality of domestic indoor air. Prior to the establishment of such data, the baseline information related to the possible sources, types of exposures, effects on health and recommendations of action regarding the issue. Asbestos Defined Asbestos is a collective term for different fibrous materials in the surroundings namely amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, antinolite and anthophyllite which belong to the mineral family referred to as amphibole with the exception of chrysotile which belongs to the serpentine minerals. Based on studies undertaken on the different types of asbestos, all types had been considered generally hazardous specifically the amphibole group due to the brittle characteristics of the component molecules (Figure 1) (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). In terms of the specific characteristics of the two classes, the serpentine group of asbestos is composed of long and flexible fibres and contributes to 93% of the international commercial use of the said material in different forms. The amphibole, on the other hand, comprises the remaining 7% of the use of asbestos in different industries and can be described as composed of rod- and needle-shaped brittles on the molecular level (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). In addition, the general characteristics of the asbestos fibres can also be considered as the main reasons for being hazardous to health are being resistant to different forms of elements and forces such as heat, fire and any form of degradation through chemical and biological factors. Other characteristics of asbestos include high tensile strength, flexibility and high resistance to both acids and alkalis. These properties make any type of materials made from asbestos be classified as non-biodegradable (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). The endurance to such elements and forces then can be considered one of the main reasons that asbestos is used in different industrial products (e.g. building materials, friction products, etc.). Although there is a wide variety of use of the asbestos in different industries the new uses of the material had been prohibited by different agencies in different countries such as the EPA in the US (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Serpentine Amphibole Source: (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Figure 1. Characteristic Appearance of the Asbestos Components in the Two Classes. Potential Sources of Asbestos at Home Asbestos occurs in different materials in the surroundings, both in the natural state (such as in deposits of minerals and in soil due to corroded rock sources) and in the industrial and manufactured materials. In the study undertaken, the main focus with regards to asbestos is the indoor air quality concentrating on the potential sources of asbestos within the household. Included in the materials that can be found at home with asbestos are ceiling and floor tiles, dry wall, roof shingles and cement. Although these materials mostly can contain only traces of asbestos, the said components can still contribute to the asbestos molecules suspended in air. This can be attributed to the fact that inhalation of asbestos particles can also be considered as a cause of the detrimental effects of asbestos (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Aside from the type of material that can contribute to the effects of asbestos to public health, the location of the household can be considered as an important factor. For example, the asbestos content in the air in the rural areas can significantly differ from that of the urban areas while the air quality in places with asbestos mine or manufacturing cite nearby can be considered to have the highest asbestos particle content in the air (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). In the studies undertaken, an estimate of approximately 30-6000 fibres/m3 had been recorded in different indoor settings such as households, schools and offices. This can be attributed to different building materials designated as necessities to such establishments. In addition, the use of common products such as vermiculate and talc can also increase the exposure of the public to asbestos (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Even the drinking water can have asbestos fibres that can be ingested by the public. This can be considered a common scenario since the asbestos fibre content of the water originated in either natural sources or from pipes and other materials with asbestos components. With the amount of water being consumed by humans through drinking, a considerable amount of the asbestos fibre can pass through the system (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Upon analysis, asbestos can be present associated in the different forms of matter, in the air, in the soil, in water and in different materials that are man-made. The said scenario can be considered as one of the main reasons why the authorities had implemented the ceasing and prohibition of new industries that may use asbestos. This is specifically related to the inevitability that the products and materials with asbestos can reach the places wherein humans spend a significant amount of time that is indoors specifically the home. Health Impacts of Asbestos Exposure The study had been undertaken to determine and present the effects of asbestos on the health and welfare of the public. Based on the different sources and ways that the public can be exposed to asbestos specifically indoor, there are different health impacts that can result. To be able to determine the objective effects of the asbestos fibres on the health of the public, it is important to consider the factors of exposure, the length of exposure, the process of absorption and the release of the said chemical. In a study undertaken related to the air quality in non-industrialized households and workplaces, the main concerns are related to the different particulate matters such as asbestos. In general, included on the main health effects of different hazardous particles are being respiratory irritants, toxicants and adjuvants or allergens (Bernstein et al., 2008). There different pathways that can be considered responsible in the exposure of the human body to asbestos namely drinking, skin contact and inhalation. Based on the said exposure, certain parts of the body can be affected. Asbestosis is one of the health impacts of exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the scarring of the tissues in the lungs and the membranes that covers the organ. The said condition can result to difficulty in breathing due to the loss of function of the tissues. In addition, the blood flow is hindered that can result to difficulty in breathing and even death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2008). Cancer can be considered as the most sever effect of asbestos exposure which can be classified as either lung cancer or mesothelioma. In relation to lung cancer, the factors that are considered fundamental are the baseline information that includes the level and length of duration of asbestos exposure, the age of being exposed to the material, the cigarette history and the characteristics of the asbestos that affected the patient (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). In cancer, the said background data are important due to the fact that the disease can be activated and expressed even after a 10- to 40-year old period (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2008). A less severe type of health issue is referred to as pleural plaques. It can be acquired through the regular exposure such as in the workplace and in people residing in places with high content of asbestos. Other health effects can be related to immunological and lymphoreticular functioning of the body that affect cellular immunity specifically in terms of fighting infections of different types. In terms of ingesting asbestos contaminated water and other food materials, gastrointestinal conditions can develop toward the severity of cancer of the esophagus, stomach or the intestines (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). These types of conditions and ailments that can be acquired on the basis of variation of exposure to asbestos can be considered as the main reasons for being considered as a substance that is hazardous to public health and poses threat to the public well-being. Measures to Reduce Health Impacts of Asbestos Aside from hindering and prohibiting the further use of asbestos, giving medical attentions, interventions and information are necessary to contribute in the reduction of the health impacts of asbestos. One of the primary ways to reduce the effects of asbestos is to lessen the exposure to the said material. To be able to achieve such action, awareness of the main sources of asbestos in homes should be the first step. The said sources include damages insulation, ceiling and floor tiles. Caution in terms of construction activities near the home is also needed. In addition, the pets that roam can also carry particles of asbestos. In addition, cleanliness of the body and the household can significantly lower the effects of asbestos to the health of the people (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Due to the fact that asbestos can be acquired through different mode such as the air, the soil, the dust and water, vigilance in terms of the activities of the family both indoor and outdoor can lessen the effects. In terms of the authorities, the legislations and laws that prohibit the use of asbestos can be considered one of the important actions undertaken. Although there are guidelines and laws established, the enforcement and application can be a challenge since asbestos can be considered to have a wide variety of industrial applications. In addition, information dissemination in different levels of the international, national and local community is also essential (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2001). Recommendations Based on the study undertaken, actions in the different levels of the community can be considered as included in the most fundamental ways to resolve the public health issues that are related to asbestos. There are different ways that can be undertaken to be able to reach the totality members of the population in terms of information dissemination regarding the dangers of asbestos exposure. One of the effective ways to be undertaken is reaching out to the specific groups and institutions in the community. One of the main reasons is that such groups are organized formally or informally thus taking action can be assimilated. In addition, such groups can also establish action plans to be able to contribute to the actions needed to be undertaken by the community against the use of asbestos. Ultimately, it is important that such groups be assimilated by the leaders of the local community. In the said manner, the actions to contribute to the national and international community can be undertaken. Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, the effect of asbestos is a severe and serious public health issue that requires strict attention and action. This can be attributed to the hazardous effects of the exposure to the said substance regardless of the amount or the time that had passed in terms of such exposure. The respiratory, digestive and immunological health hazards weigh more than the industrial application of the product. The said decision and legislation had been confirmed by authorities of different fields such as environmental experts and medical health professionals. Although this is the case, it is still required for the people to be vigilant of the actions that they are needed to undertake to lessen the effects of asbestos in public health. With the support and actions of the authorities, the problem regarding the effects of asbestos can be continuously minimized. Bibliography Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (2001, September). Toxicological Profile for Asbestos. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp61.html Bernstein, J.A., Alexis, N., Bacchus, H., Bernstein, I.L., Fritz, P., Horner, E., Li, N., Mason, S., Nel, A., Oullette, J., Reijula, K., Reponen, T., Seltzer, J., Smith, A., Tarlo, S.M. (2008). The health effects of non-industrial indoor air pollution. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 121(3), 585-91. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008). Asbestosis-related years of potential life lost before age 65 years--United States, 1968-2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 57(49), 1321-5. Laquatra, J., Maxwell, L.E. and Pierce M. (2005). Indoor air pollutants: limited-resource households and child care facilities. J Environ Health, 67(7), 39-43. Read More