Instinct. Training. Adrenaline. Three things no firefighter can live without. It’s not an easy balance to maintain and not many can actually manage all three, at least not the way firefighters can. But there’s one more thing that these heroes need to juggle: health. Every time a firefighter steps into a blazing building, they put more at risk than they may realize.
In older homes, builders used a mineral called asbestos in dry wall and insulation. Though the mineral is fire-resistant, when disturbed or exposed to extremely harsh conditions, fibers become airborne.
When firefighters breathe these in, they become susceptible to a deadly lung cancer: mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest area. These can be subtle and are very often latent for up to 50 years. The greatest danger of mesothelioma is that its generally misdiagnosed, confused with more common, more treatable illnesses.
The government has taken measures to protect our heroes from asbestos exposure. Organizations like the AFL-CIO are rallying behind those who have already been exposed to asbestos and have contracted mesothelioma.
So what can you do to prevent these health risks? Find out more about asbestos exposure and the symptoms of mesothelioma, especially if you or someone you know has been in the business of fighting fires for a while. Search the web; ask a doctor; visit a library. There are resources designed to provide us find what we need to know.
They’ve always protected us. It's time for us to protect them.
In older homes, builders used a mineral called asbestos in dry wall and insulation. Though the mineral is fire-resistant, when disturbed or exposed to extremely harsh conditions, fibers become airborne.
When firefighters breathe these in, they become susceptible to a deadly lung cancer: mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest area. These can be subtle and are very often latent for up to 50 years. The greatest danger of mesothelioma is that its generally misdiagnosed, confused with more common, more treatable illnesses.
The government has taken measures to protect our heroes from asbestos exposure. Organizations like the AFL-CIO are rallying behind those who have already been exposed to asbestos and have contracted mesothelioma.
So what can you do to prevent these health risks? Find out more about asbestos exposure and the symptoms of mesothelioma, especially if you or someone you know has been in the business of fighting fires for a while. Search the web; ask a doctor; visit a library. There are resources designed to provide us find what we need to know.
They’ve always protected us. It's time for us to protect them.
**Article is courtesy of Matthew Phillips...Thank you for your Contribution Matthew**
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