With the recent earthquakes in California (January 9), Haiti and Chile, many people are trying to pick up the pieces of the devastation this natural disaster has caused. The death tolls for Haiti and Chile are unremarkable, and the aftereffects of such a grand event may be experienced for many years to come. One of these aftereffects that many people don’t think about is the increased risk of mesothelioma.
The Cause of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Individuals who are at greatest risk for this type of cancer are ones who must work in buildings where asbestos is still present and must be handled.
Earthquakes and Asbsestos
Just as construction workers disturb floor and ceiling tiles and insulation which may have asbestos, so does an earthquake. The power of the earthquake to shake building and collapse them is enough to send tiny asbestos fibers flying through the air. What does this mean? Once the fibers are released into the air it makes it much more probably that people will inhale them. This exposure is what causes cancer, specifically mesothelioma in older adults.
Protecting Yourself During a Natural Disaster
If you are in an environment hardest hit by an earthquake and believe that asbestos was part of the buildings/homes that were hit, wear masks whenever you have to enter or work on the area. Limit your exposure to highly asbestos danger zones as much as possible. Avoidance and prevention are the two biggest ways to protect yourself from the asbestos‘ effects of mesothelioma.
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
Health