Does anyone know of a person who suffers from the Asbestos illness the rare Lung Disease?
Ms. Dazzle
Asbestos we all know can cause Lung Cancer as you get older but has anyone been diagnosed at an earlier age like 45 or younger. Has anyone heard about Asbestos in Ironing Board Covers? I read an article stating that Ironing Board Covers has a trace of Asbestos in the materials used. Should we be alarmed? Should we throw away all ironing boards and if so, how will we iron our clothes besides using a steam iron? Please help with this difficult solution. I am a bit worried about Asbestos which could be no different than the toxic in the air that can cause Lung Cancer. Any critizm is accepted. Yes, I am a worry-wart. Go easy with your answers and no, I am not like Chicken Little..lol
Please see the webpage for more details on Asbestosis.
Asbestos does indeed cause a rare form of lung disease called mesothelioma. It is because of the nature of the extremely small fibers that make up asbestos. Once the loose fibers are inhaled the stay in the lungs for years as a constant irritant to the lungs, and eventually cancer results. In the past asbestos was used in everything from brake shoes, to window putty, to pipe insulation and more. It was used because of its ability to withstand high temps. The real problem is when the fibers are loose like when the wheels of a car are removed and the dust is inhaled, or when the insulation of an old building is flaking and the fibers are loose and can be inhaled, this is the real danger. As long as the asbestos is intact and the fibers are not loose there is no danger. Asbestos is no longer used in cars, or insulation or ceiling tiles or any other products because it is so dangerous. If these are newer ironing board covers there is no asbestos in there. About 5 years ago here in MN there was a congressman who died of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. He worked in old buildings in the east side of Saint Paul, MN and was exposed to asbestos insulation. Once a person has it there is no cure, but based on what you wrote I would not worry about any modern products as asbestos was outlawed a long time ago.