In this module we will:

1. Explain about the serious diseases caused by asbestos

2. Explain about the additional risks of smoking and exposure to asbestos

3. Explain about the current death rates compiled by the HSE

You will learn about:

1. The diseases and how they affect your lungs

2. The building trades that are most at risk

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Asbestos is a ‘hidden killer’ that can cause four serious diseases.

1. These diseases will not affect you immediately - They can take up to 15 - 60 years to develop but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything about it.
2. Over 4000 workers die each year in the United Kingdom from asbestos-related diseases. This figure is still rising!
3. All asbestos related diseases are ‘dose related’. Therefore, the more asbestos fibres that you breathe in, the greater the risk.
4. The type of asbestos, the duration of exposure and even how old you were when you breathed it in, are important factors in understanding these diseases. There is an urgent need for you to protect yourself now.
5. The risk is cumulative with repeated small exposures potentially being as bad a few high exposures.

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The risks of smoking and exposure to asbestos

Smokers are the target of many health campaigns and this e-learning programme makes no exceptions in bringing these facts to you.

Where smokers and non-smokers are exposed to the same levels of asbestos, smokers are 50 times more likely to contract lung cancer.

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