Imports of Asbestos Increased Significantly Last Year

Asbestos exposure can lead to serious medical problems.

Despite its established status as a dangerous carcinogen, imports of asbestos, a once-commonly used material, increased in 2016, according to recently-released government data. The data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission shows that imports of raw asbestos increased from 343 metric tons in 2015 to an estimated 705 metric tons in 2016. Ports across the state that accept shipments of asbestos could potentially face problems with asbestos contamination. Exposure to asbestos can lead to an assortment of diseases and health problems, particularly respiratory problems and forms of cancer, including mesothelioma. Hire licensed companies for asbestos removal miami work in houses, apartment buildings, commercial spaces and other locations.

Asbestos, once commonly used in construction of houses, condominiums, restaurants, hospitals, schools and other structures, can seriously endanger people’s health. Builders used the substance because of its fire-resistant qualities, but the substance can put people’s health at risk if disturbed, such as during renovations, demolitions and remodeling projects. People can unwittingly inhale asbestos fibers, microscopic in size, potentially resulting in breathing problems and diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis down the line.

Ports in places like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach may have to deal with asbestos problems due to the increase in importing the substance. Asbestos can cause lingering contamination issues for years or even decades. Fortunately, the best asbestos remediation companies have methods to clean up asbestos and make affected spaces safe to work in and live in. People in places like Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Belle Glade, Loxahatchee and North Palm Beach can hire licensed asbestos abatement west palm beach businesses to eradicate asbestos from business locations, houses, warehouses, shipping yards and other places.

Although hazardous to people’s health, some industries continue to use asbestos for industrial processes and other uses.

The CDC Finds That Asbestos Deaths Remain High

Hire licensed asbestos abatement businesses to test for and get rid of asbestos before performing renovations.

Despite decades of efforts meant to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos, a recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that malignant mesothelioma continues to claim thousands of lives. This deadly and devastating form of cancer, typically caused by exposure to asbestos, killed more than 45,000 people in the United States between 1999 and 2015. Deaths of people younger than 55 from mesothelioma may result from inadvertent exposure to asbestos during home renovations and building demolitions. Across South Florida, homeowners and contractors can hire top asbestos abatement companies to safely eradicate the substance. Companies that perform asbestos removal west palm beach can help people in places like Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter avoid the potential long-term consequences of asbestos exposure, which can lead to diseases decades later.

Before issuing permits for demolitions or renovations of older homes, some municipalities may require people to account for potential asbestos in the building. Asbestos can become a hazard to people’s health and an environmental contaminant if improperly handled. The toxic material becomes particularly troublesome as it breaks down. People can easily and unknowingly inhale microscopic asbestos fibers. Companies that provide asbestos abatement miami services can help residents in Miami, Miami Beach, Doral, Hialeah, Homestead and Aventura properly dispose of the substance, safeguarding people’s health and the environment.

Although the vast majority of deaths linked to asbestos occurred in the elderly population, the fact that relatively younger people continue to fall victim to asbestos-related diseases speaks to the importance of properly handling the substance and its dangers. In many cases, people develop asbestos-linked diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis several decades after their exposure to the substance. Often, their exposure occurred prior to the time that government agencies began to regulate asbestos. However, people still face risks of asbestos exposure from some products and from disturbing asbestos within older homes and buildings.