What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a strong, fire-resistant mineral fibre. In the past, it was used as an insulating material against heat and noise, and it also served as fire protection. Asbestos was also added to other materials, such as cement and plaster, to increase their structural strength. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity).

What are the hazards of asbestos?

Renovation or demolition work on houses containing asbestos products can release asbestos fibres. These fibres are extremely fine and can remain airborne for hours.

Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung disease and cancer.

Asbestosis is the term given to scarring and hardening of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos dust over many years. Asbestosis makes breathing difficult and can cause fatal illnesses such as pneumonia and heart disease.

Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos-related diseases typically develop many years after a person has been exposed. The greater the amount of asbestos in the air that you inhale and the longer the duration of exposure, the higher the risk of developing these diseases. Smokers are at greater risk.

For more tips on how to keep your workplace safe, visit worksafebc.com/asbestosbeaware.

Relative Sizes

• Glass fibre
• Fume particles
• Human hair
• Asbestos fibre

Asbestos fibres are extremely fine. The diagram above shows a comparison of the size of a human hair, a glass fibre, an asbestos fibre, and fume particles.

Asbestos fibres can cause severe and often fatal diseases. Understanding the risks and following proper safety procedures is essential to protecting workers’ health.

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