From Bhaktapur Durbar Square to Lumbini, Nepal is a country of historical beauty and sacred meaning. Cities and ancient architecture intertwine to create an experience that will bring visitors back for more. A trip to Nepal is unlike any other. The country is unique and brimming with culture and history. But while you enjoy all that Nepal has to offer, be sure to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Around the world, many homes and buildings were and still are constructed using a natural mineral called asbestos. Used because of its fire and heat-resistant qualities, asbestos was considered a miracle. That was, until the world discovered the truth.
When the dry wall and insulation that contain asbestos are disturbed, fibers are released into the air. If inhaled, these fibers can cause a deadly lung cancer. Symptoms of mesothelioma are subtle and include shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest area. Because of a 20-50 year latency period, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed, confused with more common, more treatable illnesses.
Mesothelioma symptoms often don’t present themselves in obvious ways until the cancer has metastasized, making treatment either difficult or impossible. General life expectancy of mesothelioma victim is less than a year.
But asbestos isn't the only poison that older buildings may contain. Lead can be found in pipes, soil, paints, and even dust. Through swallowing or inhaling lead particles, those that work or live with these sorts of materials are susceptible to poisoning. Lead poisoning may result in loss of memory, damage to reproductive organs, and digestive problems in adults. It can lead to weight loss, developmental damage and hearing loss in children.
So, when traveling to Nepal, and to any other destination around the world, be sure to check with hotels and other accommodations for asbestos and lead contamination information. Be careful allows a better trip and a better shot at a long, healthy life.
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Matthew Phillips via email.... (Big thanks for him for informing us about such an important issue)
