10 Things We All Hate About Asbestos Exposure

The Risks of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos is not dangerous until the microscopic fibres are airborne. Workers who work with asbestos smokers, asbestos workers, and those with lung diseases are at the highest risk. Secondhand exposure can occur when employees bring home asbestos particles on their shoes, clothing and hair, or when launderers cleaning their work clothes with asbestos. This type of exposure can also affect family members. Symptoms When asbestos breaks up or is disturbed it releases tiny fibers into the air. These can be inhaled by people who are near. Once inhaled these fibers can cause irritation to the lung tissue and then become stuck in the lung. Asbestosis, or scarring lung tissue can result. It can also make it harder for CO2 and oxygen to pass through the lung. This could lead to serious and life-threatening health conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestosis usually occurs due to prolonged exposure over a long period of time. The most common symptom of asbestosis is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing and a bluish tinge on the skin due to the 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 who have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma tends to be fatal and is usually diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should see their doctor for a physical exam. A doctor will determine whether further testing is required depending on the patient's work history, among other factors. This could include chest X rays, CT scans or lung function tests. These changes might not be visible to the patient, but they can be identified by X-rays or chest CT scans. They can however be observed by physicians who specialize in asbestos-related illnesses. Symptoms of lung disease related to asbestos exposure can take a long time to develop, so many people don't know they are affected until it is too late. In addition to lung fibrosis, potential signs of asbestos exposure are shortness of breath or chest pain or belly or a persistent cough, fever and weight loss. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should be given a vaccine against pneumonia and flu. This will help prevent respiratory infections that can worsen their health problems. They should also wash their hands often to decrease the chance of contracting a respiratory illness. They should be part of support groups for people suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. Treatment Asbestos can cause a number of health problems. The severity of health issues is determined by how long and what type of asbestos the person has been exposed to. It can lead to respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and the development of pleural effusions. It may also lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancer of the gastrointestinal tract as well as kidneys. Your physician will recommend treatment options to control symptoms and prevent complications if you've been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related illness. These may include medicines and procedures like pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational therapy and lung transplantation. There are also various support groups that you can join to discuss your issues and concerns. People who have been exposed to asbestos for many years are at risk of developing a variety of health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Smokers are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, as smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the lung. The symptoms of these health issues may take between 10 and 20 years to manifest, which is known as the latency. Chest pain and breathing problems are the first symptoms of asbestos exposure. They are caused by the scarring that damages the lung and makes it difficult to breathe. As the disease advances the symptoms may worsen. A person may even be unable to breathe at sitting down. There is also the possibility of symptoms of fatigue, fever or weight loss. Asbestosis is not curable, but certain treatments can help ease symptoms and improve the quality of life for those suffering from the disease. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medication to thin the fluids in the lung. A person who has severe symptoms can receive oxygen through an in-nose tube. Regular blood tests and X rays can be used to track the condition and detect any issues. Exercise and a healthy diet can keep one in good health. Stress can trigger symptoms, so it is important to avoid it. Diagnosis The most commonly reported symptoms of asbestos exposure are difficulty breathing. The reason for this is because asbestos fibers, which are microscopic, remain in the lungs for years after exposure. Since the lungs weren't designed to remove foreign materials, they became irritated over time. This condition is called asbestosis, or pulmonary the disease fibrosis. It could take up to 40 years for a person to develop symptoms of asbestos poisoning. This is one of the reasons asbestos exposure can go undetected for many years, even by people who worked with it on a regular basis. When asbestos is released into the air, tiny fibers can be inhaled. The majority of the fibers will be transported by mucus or coughed however some will escape the system and end up in the lungs. This can cause a number of diseases that affect lung function. This includes lung cancer as well as mesothelioma which is a deadly form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, which is an organ's lining. Lung cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages since it often mimics other ailments, including chronic coughing, weight loss and chest pain. The risk of developing lung cancer also increases with the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens a person is exposed too, such as tobacco smoke. Asbestosis typically develops a few years after exposure. It is diagnosed by an examination by a doctor, a work history, chest x-rays, CT scans, as well as blood tests for lung enzymes. Asthma sufferers may be at an increased chance of developing asbestosis. Bellingham asbestos lawyer -related disease is mesothelioma. It develops in the lung linings as well as internal organs. It can also develop in the larynx and the ovaries. Patients with a history of exposure to asbestos are more likely to develop this kind of cancer, as is mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the intestines and stomach. Mesothelioma is a cancer that can take a long time to develop, so it is important for those with an asbestos-related history to have routine health exams. Prevention Many homes and buildings built before 1970 contain components like asbestos pipes and floor tiles that are intact. So long as these materials are not disturbed, they are not a health risk. They can pose a health risk when they are damaged or degraded. This is due to the release of microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, which could be inhaled or ingested. When this occurs, the health risks are great and it's important to have any asbestos-related materials inspected, tested or removed by certified professionals. Asbestos fibers can cause illness when they are inhaled, consumed, and lodged in lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). Symptoms of these illnesses are usually not evident until several years after the initial exposure. It is the most common occupational exposure that can cause asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of occupations, including insulation contractors, construction workers, asbestos abatement workers and maintenance and custodial workers. Even if workers are properly trained and are wearing personal protective equipment, they could be exposed to asbestos when the asbestos is damaged or disturbed in any way that allows the microscopic fibers into the air. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can be noticed between 15 and 50 years after exposure. This is known as the latency period. Rainwater can also expose individuals to asbestos through the water path. This could be due to contaminated water caused by erosion of natural land sources or the discarded cement or mining pipe. Ingestion can also happen accidentally by eating food items contaminated with asbestos such as clams or other seafood that has been washed in contaminated water. Currently, the greatest asbestos danger is to those engaged in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain it and to those who work with waste that is contaminated. The most vulnerable are those who worked in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts. It is recommended that individuals wear protective clothing for their entire body and wear a top quality face mask when working with asbestos. Those who work with asbestos should also be provided with adequate ventilation.