Asbestos Health Concerns

What Are the Health Concerns related to Asbestos?

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a pulmonary fibrosis caused by asbestos fibres inhaled into the lungs over a long period of time. Larger fibres are often removed through mucus; however the smaller particles can be carried into the small air sacs, lymph channels and lymph nodes of the lungs.

There are no immediate symptoms but as the fibrosis becomes established sufferers feel breathlessness, often with a cough and loss of weight.

Other symptoms are chest pains caused by scarring of the lungs and bad circulation as the dust deposits slow the normal transfer of oxygen to the blood stream - often causing the heart to enlarge. Asbestosis is a serious disease and can lead to disability or death. There is no cure.

Other Concerns

Other Asbestos-induced conditions include pulmonary heart disease, pneumonia, lung cancer and Mesothelioma. Smokers are 90 times more likely to suffer from lung cancer when exposed to Asbestos over a long period of time. There is some evidence that breathing Asbestos can increase the chances of getting cancer in other locations.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane on the exterior of the lungs. Unlike lung cancer there is no obvious link to smoking. Both Mesothelioma and lung cancer are serious, malignant diseases. Over 10,000 people a year die from Asbestos-related illnesses.

The most dangerous Asbestos fibres are too small to be visible. They can become airborne when Asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or during improper removal. Once they are inhaled, the fibres can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure begins. Most people with Asbestos-related diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job.