Environmental Risk Report on Nanoparticles Essay Introduction Knowledge of environmental risks of nanoparticles has accrued gradually over the past century (Brodsky 2011). Recent studies have shown that some nanoparticles lke asbestos cou alter call arrangement leading to the death of the lis. Curently, itis. ‘accepted that the environmental contamination of nanoparticles fers is harmful to flor and fauna (Debia 2013]. The article ‘below will focus on the environmental sk posed by asbestos particles. ‘Asbestos is a natutally occurting substance. Historical records indicate that humans have utlized the material for over 3000 years (Dragonieri 2014). Over the last century, the material has been used in construction, locomotive, apparel, and plastic Industries. For decades, tanks and pipework have been insulated with asbestos materials in nfrmarles, power generation centers, and other manufacturing industries (Egiman 2008). Asbestos has also been used in the making of textles owing to its resistance to high temperatures and corcosive materials. The most popular apparel that uted this nanoparticle comprised of bedspreads, frefighter sults, and rope. In the automotive Industry, the substance was used in the manufacture of brake mats, clutches, hood linings, seals, and stopcacks. The material has also been used to make a floor covering and roofing tes. The paste used to fasten floor tiles has also been manufactured using tne nanoparticle. Asbestos has also been used to make ‘cement products. The material was added to cement to enhance the efficiency of the building material (Debia 2013). The nanoparticle was preferred owing to is ability to offer strength to construction materials without the unnecessary addition of considerable weight, Asbestos’ protecting and fire-resistant features also made the material a perfect ingredient of cement products. An environmental risk characterization of asbestos Hazard ‘Asbestos particles may pollute the air or water from the disintegration of naturally accurting deposit oarlficial merchandise (Uolinek 2018). The particles do not vaporize into the air 0° liquely in water solution. In this regard, the nanoparticles stay suspended in water er alr Through ths, they may be carried away from their source by alr or water, As indicated above ‘asbestos usually cause alr population when disturbed. When blown by the wind the substances become airborne, In such situations, animals anc animals may inhale the particles. In the lungs of these organisms, the substances may trigger respiratory complications, As such, the more an individuals exposed to these materials the more he or she increases the chances of developing asbestos-related complications. Some of the health hazards associated with the nanoparticle are asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Asbestosis isa respiratory disease that usually affects persons exposed to asbestos (Sen 2015). The disease was fist lagnosed among incividuals working in naval shipyards. When these nanoparticles are inhaled, they become blocked in the lungs. As a result, the body tries to liminate the substances by segregating a type of acid to dissolve them. The acid released ‘eventually damages the lung tissues leading to scars (Debia 2013). With prolonged exposure, scaring becomes far-reaching affecting the functioning of the lungs. Individuals Infected with the aisease experience shortness of breath and constant coughing, Notably, the damage caused to the lung tissues is permanent. Mesothelioma is @ cancer that affects the exterior covering ofthe lung and chest fissure (Vecchia 2014) The disease is unique since it only affects individuals who have been exposed to asbestos. The disease may take up to two decades to develop in the ‘body of the victim, Daath regularly befalls one to three years after the symptoms appear. The other hazard posed by the material's ng cancer (Jarvnclm 201). Other than smoking, severe and prolonged contact with asbestos also raises a person's likelihood of developing a lung tumor. Malignancy of the gastrointestinal tube may also be triggered by exposure to asbestos. The toxicity of asbestos particles‘The avaliable data assert that when asbestos enters the body it causes some toxicity manifestations, They include simple Inflammatory responses, fioro-genesis, and carcinogenesis, The size and nature of these nanoparticles seem to influence their toxicity. The two attributes determine the capability ofthe lungs to eliminate the particles from the body. As such, asbestosis s caused by tiny and thicker fibers. On the. er hand, mesothelioma and lung cancer are atrlbuted to lengthier and thinner fivers. Chrysoile, which makes up white asbestos, measures approximately 5 mm (Sen 2018]. On the other hand, cracidalte that makes up blue asbestos ranges between § to 10 mm (Brodsky 2011. Researches show that chrysollle is mostly less dangerous compared to amosite or erecidoit. ‘Severe high-level exposure to the nanoparticles may lead to respiratory complications, mesothelioma, and lung cancer after an ‘extended time (Debia 2013). Equally, long-iasting contact with higher doses Is inked with the development of o parenchymal ‘asbestosis and lung cancer. Exposure issues related to asbestos and its uses Exposure to asbestos particles can happen in the factory, residence, or community (Debia 2013). Extracted and utlized ‘commercially forthe last two centuries, the substance has been used in numerous merchandise. They include automobile brakes, shoes, clutch mats, ceiling slates, ground tle, dyes, varnishes, and adhesives. Owing to federal guidelines and health worries, asbestos materials are no longer extensively used compared to the last three decades. Therefore, the rate of exposure has dropped. Increased rates of exposure are witnessed among bulléing and construction workers (Sallemi 2012). Similarly, some researchers have claimed that families of these employees also have a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. It is postulated that these famlies are exposed to asbestos brought into ther residences vie attire, skin, or hair. Other inlviduals who have an increased chance of coming into contact with the potent material are those lving close to asbestos mines. An ad tional group of people who have an increased chance of exposure is employees who were involved in the demolition of the remains of the World Trade Centre after the 8/11 attacks (Arti 2013). The structure was bult using asbestos material. Therefore, after its destruction, alt of asbestos disintegrated into the surrounding. Characterize the level of risk involved The level of risk posed by exposure to asbestos can be characterized as low and high depending on the petiod of contact (Brodsky 2011). As such, the rsk is reduced for low-level short-term contact fo inhabitants in older residences. However, the risk Is higher for individuals who are regularly exposed to the material in higher concentrations. Asbestos-~inked complications usualy affect employees who are exposed to high doses ofthe particles over lengthy periods (Brodsky 2071). For instance, {demolition and building employees in the Canterbury District have increased the chances of contracting asbestos-related complications (Jackson 2011). The above risk s attributed to the current building and demolton in the region after the 2010- 2o1earthquakes. Recommendation ‘The use of asbestos has been banned in many developad countries. However, itis worrying to note thatthe utlization ofthis potent material has not been outlawed in the USA and Canada (Fox 2018}. In the two countries, the substance Is stil being used In the automotive, construction, and apparel industries. In Canada, the use ofthe material has dwindled in the past fow docades, Asbestos Products Regulation oversees the utilization ofthe substances. Inthe future, more research shoulé be undertaken to identify how exposure to the material can be reduced among the workers. Similarly investigations should be carried out to determine now to prevent and manage the complications caused by exposure to asbestos. Equally, people living or working in structures that are made of materials comprising of asbestos ought to ensure that they have sufficient ventilation systems. Houses or structures that have insulation materials made of asbestos should be informed about the dangers ofthis substance (Brodsky 2011). They should also ensure thatthe insulation system is firmly held to minimize disturbance. When disturbed, the asbestos in the insulation component may get airborne polling the air in the building and increasing expasure tothe residence. I the installation is to be uninstaleg, special measures ought to be adheres to decrease the creation of sprinkles and stipulate sultable sites for discarding. Persons can get Information concerning disposing of material with asbestos particles fom their local government or institutions certified to champion environmental protection. In addition, more research snould be carried out to increase the knowledge of environmental risks caused by ‘nanoparticles lke asbestos.References ‘Arti Shukla, J (2013). Asbestos rsks: past and present. Air Water Borne Dis, 02(01): 67-77, Brodsky, A (2011). Nanoparticles. Bertin: De Gruyter 123 p, Debia, M. (2013). Characterization and control of accupational exposure te nanoparticles and ukrafine particles. 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