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Advanced Asbestos Removal Advise on The Continuing Dangers of Asbestos

Monday 20 February 2017, 2:11PM

By Beckie Wright

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Long since the dangers of asbestos became common knowledge and use decreased drastically, health experts say asbestos continues to make us sick.

When inhaled, the microscopic asbestos fibres can cause problems like the chronic lung disease asbestosis, in which lung tissue can become scarred over time, hampering breathing and raising the risk of cancer.  For some people, exposure to asbestos may lead to the development of an aggressive cancer that attacks the lungs and abdomen called mesothelioma, or other lung cancer.

“The vast majority of mesotheliomas are related to asbestos exposure”, says Dr Jae Y. Kim, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the City of Hope Cancer Center in California.  The consequences of asbestos exposure don’t usually appear until long after the fibres have been inhaled into the lungs – often at least ten year or more before asbestosis occurs, or several decades before cancer symptoms emerge.  “There is no known safe threshold of asbestos exposure.” Kim says. “As far as we know, even significant amounts in a short period can cause long-term health problems.”

Asbestos is a major health threat to thousands of New Zealanders and millions of people around the world.  In 2010, an estimated 600-900 people died of work-related diseases in New Zealand. Of that number, around 170 people died of asbestos-related diseases, which made asbestos the single biggest cause of work-related disease deaths.

Changes to Health & Safety legislation in 2016 defined the level of responsibility of ‘people in control of a business or undertaking’ (PCBU).   People living and working near asbestos and ACMs should expect their health to be protected as PCBUs and workers use safe practices to manage or remove asbestos. All PCBUs who conduct work involving asbestos, and all workplace PCBUs with workplaces where asbestos is situated, must manage asbestos risks so they do not harm anyone. Complying with regulations made under the Act is mandatory. Penalties apply for failing to comply with their requirements.

Sadly, by the time symptoms of lung cancer or mesothelioma are presented, the disease is already quite advanced, and the cure rates are low.  That’s another reason, experts say, to be on the lookout for asbestos now – and take precautions to limit exposure.

If someone suspects that they may have friable asbestos product in or around the workplace they should call Advanced Asbestos Removal immediately, and if in doubt they will arrange an independent laboratory analysis.   As specialists in commercial and industrial asbestos removal, New Zealand-owned business Advanced Asbestos Removal can manage the project efficiently, whilst upholding your legal obligations with a strong focus on Health and Safety. 

To find out more about Advanced Asbestos Removal and their asbestos removal services, please visit the website at http://www.advancedasbestosremoval.co.nz.