What Are The Two Main Types Of Asbestos Exposure?

Once the body is exposed to asbestos the fibers can be inhaled in the air. Upon inhalation, the asbestos fibers are very difficult to eliminate and they body experiences extreme difficulty in expelling these fibers and they become lodged in the lungs leading to inflammation and irritation, but the symptoms of the mesothelioma especially may not be seen for 20 years or more. Asbestos fibers are very difficult to break down and remain a constant source of irritation in the lung, which can result in asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. There are two main types of asbestos exposure:

1- Occupational exposure

This type of exposure occurs while working around asbestos. It is the most common form of asbestos exposure. Many occupations have faced asbestos exposure in the past, including miners and manufacturers of asbestos products, shipbuilders, brake mechanics, and a variety of other industrial workers.

2-Contact with naturally occurring asbestos is another form of exposure.

Asbestos is a mineral that is found in many places throughout the United States. While naturally occurring asbestos poses little threat to human health if left undisturbed, there are locations throughout the U.S. that have experienced a veritable threat of hazardous exposure. Particularly in California, much of the naturally occurring asbestos is close enough to the surface of the soil that it is easily disturbed. When disturbed by wind, landscaping, construction, or other forms of human activity, asbestos particles become airborne and present a health hazard.

Another location where naturally occurring asbestos has been a serious problem is Libby, Montana, where vermiculite that was mined from the area was contaminated with asbestos. The mining process not only released asbestos fibers into the air, but the vermiculite that was sold around the world was heavily contaminated with this toxic mineral.

Since most asbestos exposure occurs at the place of work, most victims of asbestos related diseases are entitled to compensation from the companies that wrongfully exposed them.