From Memorial Service Hospital, Department of Chest Diseases, Uz. Dr. Banu Altoparlak gave information about the danger of asbestos and warned about the precautions to be taken.
Thousands of buildings destroyed after the earthquake, which affected 10 provinces in Kahramanmaraş, harbor unseen dangers. A high amount of asbestos is spreading with the destroyed buildings. Asbestos is known as white soil among the people. Although the use and trade of asbestos was banned in our country in 2013, it can occur in old buildings in disasters such as earthquakes. The chemical substance in fibrous structure is widely used in the construction industry. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung disease in the long run. Problems such as lung cancer, fluid accumulation in the pleura, abestosis and mesothelioma, that is, cancer of the membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity, may occur. From Memorial Service Hospital, Department of Chest Diseases, Uz. Dr. Banu Altoparlak gave information about the danger of asbestos.
Chemicals harm the body
Asbestos or asbestos; It is a flexible, fibrous mineral in terms of its structural properties resistant to heat, abrasion and chemicals. It consists of magnesium silicate, calcium-magnesium silicate, iron-magnesium silicate and sodium-iron silicate. It is known by names such as white soil or sky soil among the people. It is used in different business areas such as ships, construction and automotive. Being durable, providing heat insulation and being easily ignited are the most important reasons for its use in different sectors. Asbestos, which consists of fibrous structure, can cause serious damage to human health and lungs.
May cause cancer in the long run
As asbestos is a carcinogenic substance, it is dangerous if inhaled or if it enters the body with drinking water. After entering the body through inhalation, it can cause many different diseases. Diseases such as lung cancer, thickening of the lung plate, mesothelioma, i.e. pleural cancer, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer and asbestosis are diseases that can occur within 20-30 years as a result of inhaling the fibers. This process occurs faster in smokers. After the disease manifests itself, it progresses very slowly. Over the years, the capacity of the lungs to take the oxygen necessary for the body disappears. Damage may progress to respiratory failure.
The amount of asbestos exposure, duration, length, shape and chemical structure of asbestos fibers are some of the main factors in triggering diseases.
Asbestos is used in different business areas
Although asbestos has come to the fore due to earthquakes, it is not only used in buildings and construction areas. It has different usage and business areas. These areas are;
- Textiles (fibers, threads, fabrics)
- Cement industry (pipe, sheet)
- Construction Materials
- Chemical (filling materials, synthetic resin molding materials, rubber products)
- Paper industry (cardboard, asbestos paper)
- Brake, clutch, pad production
- shipbuilding
- Wagon production
Protective equipment saves lives!
Teams and disaster victims who will work in areas such as earthquake debris, which are environments where asbestos can be exposed, should use dust masks and goggles. The environment where the destruction is done should be avoided and nutritional needs should not be met within this area. Asbestos protective equipment improves quality of life in the long run. Protective disposable overalls are important to prevent asbestos from coming into contact with the body and skin. Boots or boots worn must be such that they can be washed later. Protective equipment and clothing should be changed after entering an asbestos environment. It should be ensured that the teams working with shift working hours are less exposed to asbestos.