Concrete cancer occurs when steel reinforcement within a concrete slab begins to rust. As the steel oxidizes, it expands and displaces the surrounding concrete, causing it to become brittle and crack, compounding the problem. Although not obvious to the millions of people who spend their days surrounded by this seemingly harmless material, concrete costs the health — and often the lives — of thousands of construction workers every year. The main culprit is silica dust, which hangs in the air on construction sites.
Without adequate protection, it can, for many years in the trade, scar the lungs and lead to silicosis, which is associated with chronic wheezing, arthritis, cancer and reduced life expectancy. specific cancer can occur at any time, so it's a good idea to watch for telltale signs that your building may be affected. You can always call in a structural engineer to accurately diagnose concrete cancer. You can learn how to repair the specific cancer yourself, but it is recommended that you entrust the work to an experienced professional.
Concrete in coastal areas is more susceptible to cancer than concrete due to the higher salt content in the environment, which also accelerates oxidation. Concrete cancer is a serious problem that, if left undiagnosed and left untreated, can affect the structural integrity of the building. Another preventive treatment for concrete cancer is to repair minor cracks and other damage to the concrete as soon as you notice them. There is no fixed cost for the specific treatment of cancer, as it depends on the size of the surface that needs to be treated and the severity of the damage.
Specific cancer can be a serious and costly problem if left untreated, misdiagnosed, or given an irreparable remedy. A structural engineer can accurately diagnose concrete cancer, but he may be able to determine if your building has been affected by the problem by looking for some telltale signs. Repairing and filling small cracks will help stop the spread of concrete cancer, but the key to a successful remedy is timely, professional identification and treatment. Exposure to silica dust can lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis (irreversible scarring and stiffness of the lungs), kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
If you suspect that your building has been affected by concrete cancer, be sure to have it checked by a professional (such as repair site builders or waterproofing contractors) to find out what type of repair work needs to be done. While the term hints at the seriousness of this type of damage, it is possible to correct the particular cancer in some cases. Engineers work to prevent cancer from starting in concrete by designing concrete appropriately for the surrounding environment and their respective exposure conditions. Be sure to check if they have experience treating concrete cancer and if they know you want to repair rather than replace damaged concrete if possible, as the cost of concrete can increase rapidly.
If proper control measures are not in place, anyone working around silica dust has a higher risk of developing lung cancer. A particular cancer can be especially difficult to detect where a concerted effort has been made to hide or disguise it. However, concrete cancer can hide under paint or other building material, such as tiles or bricks.
