The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos isn't a danger unless the tiny fibres become airborne. Those who are at highest risk include people working with asbestos, smokers and those who have lung diseases that are pre-existing.
Second-hand exposure can result from workers bringing home asbestos particles in their footwear, clothing or hair, or by laundering facilities that wash their clothes with asbestos. Family members can also be affected by this kind of exposure.
Signs and symptoms
When asbestos breaks up or is disturbed it releases tiny fibers into the air. These fibers can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers may irritate the lung tissue and then become stuck in the lung. This can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. It can also make it difficult for carbon dioxide and oxygen to flow into and out of the lungs. This can cause serious and life-threatening health conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestosis usually occurs after heavy, long-term exposure. The most common symptoms is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and a blue-tinged tint on the skin due to lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining and chest cavity (pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), can occur in people with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed after 30 to 40 years of exposure. It tends to be fatal.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should see their doctor for a medical exam. Based on the individual's work background and other factors, a doctor can decide whether additional tests are required. This could include chest X-rays, CT scans or lung function tests.
These changes may not be obvious to the patient, but they can be detected by X-rays or chest CT scans. They can however be identified by doctors who specialize in asbestos-related diseases.
As the symptoms of lung disease caused by asbestos exposure can develop over time, many people are unaware they are affected until it's too late. Other signs of asbestos exposure, in addition to lung fibrosis, include breathlessness and chest pain abdomen, persistent cough, fever, and weight loss.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should receive a vaccine against pneumonia and flu. This will help prevent respiratory infections that can cause their health problems. It is also important to wash their hands often to decrease the chance of getting a respiratory infection. They should also join a support group for people with asbestos-related illnesses.
Treatment
Asbestos can cause a variety of health issues. The severity of health problems is dependent on how long and what type of asbestos a person has been exposed to. It can cause respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and the development of pleural effusions. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the digestive system and kidneys.
Your medical team will suggest treatment options to treat symptoms and avoid complications, if you have been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related disease. These may include medicines and procedures, such as occupational therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplantation. You can also join support groups to discuss your symptoms.
People who have been exposed for a long time to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Smokers are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses because cigarette smoke irritates lung tissue. The symptoms of these health issues can take between 10 and 20 years to manifest, which is known as the latency period.
The chest pain and breathlessness are the first signs of asbestos exposure. The scarring in the lungs can result in breathing problems. As the condition progresses, symptoms may worsen and a person can become breathless even when they are at rest. They may also experience fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Asbestosis isn't curable, but certain treatments can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life for sufferers. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin the fluids within the lung. A person suffering from severe symptoms could receive oxygen through an in-nose tube.
Having regular blood tests and X-rays will help monitor the disease and help identify any possible complications. It is important to have a good diet and exercise to keep a person in good health. It is also essential to avoid stress because it can make the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most common sign of asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. The reason for this is because asbestos fibers which are microscopic remain in the lungs for years after exposure. The lungs are not designed to eliminate these foreign substances and, as a result, they can become irritated and scarred over time. This condition is known as asbestosis, also known as pulmonary the disease fibrosis. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning may take up to forty years to appear. This is one of the reasons asbestos exposure can go undetected for so long, even by people who worked with asbestos on a regular basis.
The tiny asbestos fibers can be inhaled when asbestos is released into the air. The majority of these fibers will be transported through cough or mucus however some will escape the system and end up in the lung. This can lead to a range of diseases that reduce lung function. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma which is a deadly cancer that attacks the lining of internal organs, known as the mesothelium.
In its initial stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to recognize because it can mimic other illnesses, such as chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. The risk of developing lung cancer is also increased by the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens that are in the air for example, tobacco smoke.
Asbestosis is a condition that develops over a period of years following exposure to asbestos and is typically diagnosed through an examination for medical conditions, work history, a chest x-ray or CT scan, and tests to determine lung enzymes. Asthmatics may be at greater risk of developing asbestosis.
The most severe asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It is a cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs and internal organs. It can also occur in the ovaries or larynx. People with a history asbestos exposure are more likely to develop this type of cancer, as is mesothelioma which targets the interior of the intestines as well as the stomach. It can take many years for mesothelioma to develop. This is why it is crucial that those who have had a history of asbestos exposure undergo regular health checks.
Prevention
Many houses and buildings constructed before 1970 contain components such as asbestos pipes or floor tiles that remain in good condition. As long as they aren't damaged, they do not pose a health risk. Only when these materials are damaged or become deteriorated do they become a health hazard by releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air which could be inhaled or ingested. The health risks are high and it is essential to have asbestos materials that may be suspected examined, tested, or removed by professionals.
Asbestos fibers are only able to cause a health issue if they are inhaled or ingested and then are absorbed into the lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer (scarring of the lung). These conditions usually don't manifest symptoms until a long time after the initial exposure.
It is the most common occupational exposure that causes asbestos based diseases. Asbestos exposure is common in many occupations including mine workers, insulation contractors, construction workers, asbestos abatement workers and custodial and maintenance workers. Workers are still exposed to asbestos even if they wear personal protective equipment and are properly trained.
Unlike Chino Hills asbestos attorneys , which typically have immediate effects, the symptoms of asbestos related diseases can take between 15 to 50 years to manifest after exposure. This is called the latency period.
In addition to occupational exposure, it is also possible for individuals to be exposed through the water system by drinking water that has been contaminated by asbestos resulting from erosion of natural land resources, or as a result of mill tailings from mining or mines that have been discarded or the breakdown of asbestos cement pipe carried by rainwater. Ingestion may also occur accidentally due to the consumption of food that is contaminated such as clams or other seafood that have been washed in polluted water.
The greatest asbestos-related danger is for those who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain asbestos and to those who work with hazardous waste. The most at risk are those who were involved following the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in the cleanup, recovery, and rescue efforts. It is recommended that these individuals wear full-body protective clothing and use a high quality face mask when working with asbestos. It is crucial that those working with asbestos are adequately ventilated.