Asbestos exposure and smoking are sources of known carcinogens that can cause serious diseases. Ironically, the manufacturing sector routinely used asbestos decades ago, before the health risks were known. Likewise, smoking was fashionable and a part of the American social fabric. It wasn't until the 1964 Report on Smoking and Health of the Surgeon General and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 did the dangers of these materials come to light.
Effects
Both asbestos exposure and smoking cause a variety of respiratory ailments ranging from throat irritation to more serious health conditions including lung disease and a reduction in lung function. Both airborne contaminants can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart disease, birth defects and breast cancer. Non-smokers living with smokers have a heightened risk of these effects, according to the American Cancer Society.
Asbestos Sources
Asbestos exposure is especially dangerous because it can be found in a wide variety of sources, exposing a large range of people to its ill effects. Occupational exposure remains one of the most common and well-documented sources. Workers in a host of industries including auto manufacture, oil refineries, plumbing and electrical businesses are at risk due to materials used at the workplace, explains the Mesothelioma Center. Exposure also occurred within every branch of the military personnel because of its widespread use.
Significance
According to the National Cancer Institute, secondhand smoke causes 46,000 heart disease deaths and 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year. For smokers, the numbers are even more sobering. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 195,000 people died from lung cancer in 2006, making it the most lethal of types of cancer. The Environmental Working Group estimates that 10,000 people die from asbestos-caused diseases each year.
Considerations
Several considerations affect your health risk from asbestos exposure and smoking. With asbestos exposure, the health effects may take years to develop, explains the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. If you have an untreated respiratory condition, consult your doctor for more information regarding your risk, especially if your work history includes situations where you may have been exposed. As with asbestos, any exposure to tobacco smoke is potentially harmful, warns the National Cancer Institute.
Prevention/Solution
Avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent the health complications of asbestos exposure and smoking. The places in your home where you are most likely to encounter asbestos are furnace ducts, roofing and cement sheeting. If the materials are intact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends leaving them as they are. If damage is present, you will need to contact a professional for assistance. Your state EPA office can provide further assistance. To limit smoking risks, avoid smoke-filled bars and restaurants. You may want to contact your state legislators to push for smoking bans in public places.
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act
- National Library of Medicine: The 1964 Report on Smoking and Health
- American Cancer Society: Secondhand Smoke
- The Mesothelioma Center: Asbestos Exposure in Jobsites & Occupations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lung Cancer Statistics:
