Asbestos still present in many buildings

Despite reminders from the U.S. Surgeon General that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, the potentially deadly substance is still being discovered at buildings across the country.

People exposed to asbestos fibers are at risk of developing a range of serious side effects, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

While people have been warned for years to stay away from asbestos, avoiding exposure may not always be easy. And although most cases of asbestos-related diseases occur in industrial and construction workers, people of all ages are at risk if they are ever exposed to the deadly fibers.

A weekend do-it-yourselfer may become exposed while tinkering around their house doing home repair projects. Families can also be at risk if someone comes in contact with a loved one who has been exposed and may have fibers on their clothes, skin or hair.

And the time between exposure and appearance of any symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 20 to 50 years, meaning a person might not know they were ever exposed until after their cancer has advanced.

People who suspect that they or someone they love might have been exposed to asbestos should always get a clear diagnosis, including a tissue biopsy, to determine the severity of their illness.