abandoned buildings invite curiosity. What's it like inside? Why is it abandoned? We want to know.
In recent years, that human curiosity developed into a hobby in itself for many enthusiasts worldwide with a bona fide name ?? Urban exploration.
The unauthorized in abandoned factories hobby involves the exploration, houses, underground tunnels, bridges and towers.
The professional and amateur photographers are among the explorers in search of spectacular sites decaying ruins, but many fail to protect against exposure to asbestos, a once commonly used in building material buildings.
Some explorers have no idea this hobby can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos, and other diseases related to asbestos.
dangers to capture great pictures
Illegal visitors in abandoned buildings facing a field of dangers such as mines structurally compromised floor and stairwells, as well as nails and sharp objects underfoot.
However, asbestos ranks as the biggest threat to the health of urban explorers.
an abandoned warehouse Detroit with exposed construction materials pose a risk of exposure to asbestos and other hazards.
?? Asbestos is absolutely the number one danger for urban explorers, and is often overlooked ?? Jason Robinson, founder of the Ohio Exploration Society said Asbestos.com. ?? Because asbestos fibers in the air are not visible to the naked eye, some urban explorers do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves "
Robinson warned :. ?? Fibers out of sight, out of mind. ??
asbestos is in fact not a substance to dismiss.
Three thousand new cases of mesothelioma are emerging each year in the US only. cancer develops after people inhale asbestos fibers into the air. most cancer patients survive on average only one year after diagnosis.
the little mineral fibers lodge in lung tissue and eventually cause unrestrained tumor growth. It usually takes 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to arise after the initial exposure to asbestos.
asbestos Prevalent construction materials
for centuries, asbestos has been known for its excellent flame retardant properties, but widespread use began during the industrial revolution. methods of mechanization and new mines allowed for greater ease to extract the naturally occurring mineral from the ground.
The growing need for cost-effective building material mass-produced at the beginning of the Second World War continued to drive the use of asbestos. rampantly manufacturers use the fiber in a myriad of building products, including roofing, flooring, insulation and adhesives.
In 1977, there were 25 producing countries nearly 4.8 million tonnes of asbestos per year, and 85 countries were making thousands of products containing asbestos.
This is not surprising given up the facilities and structures around the world often contain asbestos among their ruins.
Explorers not on guard
Maddy Eudy structural relics scouts in Detroit.
imposing Michigan Central Station, Northville Psychiatric Hospital ghostly and long defunct Packard plant make his list of notable expeditions.
Asbestos.com When asked if she takes precautions against asbestos Eudy replied that the safety of asbestos are not always a priority.
?? There are times when I am more aware of asbestos in or around a region and other times I ?? am not, "she said." I sometimes brings masks for who I am with, as well as me, but sometimes I forget them.??
professional explorers call other lovers do not take lightly asbestos contamination. They recommend protective clothing and respirators fit properly on all incursions into relics of the past.
urban exploration website based in New Zealand Urbex Central advises explorers to use a respirator with the noted asbestos filters, such as the 3M P100 Particulate filter
According to the website, "a standard paper dust mask will protect you from asbestos dust. Asbestos fibers are small enough to pass through and enter your airways. "
Robinson agrees.
?? masks fine paper or handkerchief over your nose and mouth will not do,? He said.
seasoned pros say as explorers must learn to recognize asbestos in structures to avoid it. the wide use of asbestos in the floor, for example, compounding the danger of explorers followed, without knowing the house dust asbestos on their shoes.
experts recommend removing the protective equipment outside the contaminated site, wash it, and placing it in a sealed bag rather than take it home and shaking out.
Toxic building materials ?? potential Harm Twice
newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma arise primarily from exposures that occurred decades ago when the use of asbestos was higher and the regulations were more lax.
contaminated building materials Today ?? s languish in old structures that went through the hands of many people who unconsciously breathed carcinogenic fibers while manufacturing materials or installed during the original construction of buildings.
These same materials clinging to the now decaying structures retain their lethal power and capacity to endanger a new population if urban explorers ignore warnings to protect themselves during their secret adventures.
