Asbestosis

Nepali

Urdu

What is Asbestosis?

  • Fibrosis of the lungs caused by the inhalation of dust that contains asbestos.
  • Incubation period of 10–40 years.
  • Incurable.

Where can asbestos be found?

  • There is no asbestos material production in Hong Kong.
  • Asbestos is not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, it has a wide range of practical uses including heat insulation, sound insulation, fire protection and electric insulation.
  • It had been widely used in various industries, in particular the construction industry before 1970s.

Asbestos material may be found in:

Corrugated Sheeting

Asbestos Cement

Asbestos

Cement tiles

Plaster Board

Fireproofing door

Ropes

Asbestos

pipe insulation

What are the Potential risks of asbestos containing materials?

  • Asbestos fibers tend to break easily and become airborne.
  • If asbestos-containing structures become dilapidated, or are damaged due to engineering work, asbestos can be released into the air as dust particles.
  • The fibers may easily be inhaled and can cause serious health problems such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Other asbestos related disease – Mesothelioma

  • Rare form of cancer of the pleura and peritoneum caused by exposure to asbestos.
  • Incubation period of 30-40 years.
  • Difficult to diagnose and treat.

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