Asbestosis and Other Asbestos Related Ailments
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals; many of which have been widely used in the construction industry. There are actually several types of asbestos and not all of it is hazardous – but unfortunately, much of it is harmful because of the microscopic fibers that make up asbestos which can easily become airborne and inhaled into the lungs. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems, including asbestosis, mesothelmeoma and others diseases.
Unfortunately, asbestos has been widely used - most buildings that were constructed between 1920 and 1980 contain large amounts of hazardous asbestos. And asbestos was commonly used in industrial buildings such as plants, shipyards and refineries, meaning that today, many construction workers, electricians, carpenters and many other workers run the risk of developing asbestosis. Those most at risk of developing asbestosis are people who have at least 10 years of what is defined as moderate exposure – generally meaning that they have worked directly in the installation or manufacture of asbestos products.
Asbestosis is a breathing disorder that is caused by inhaling these fibers. Fibers that accumulate in the lungs over an extended period of time lead to scarring of the lungs and difficulty breathing. Just like mesothelmeoma, the symptoms of asbestosis generally don’t appear until years after being exposed, making it difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, most people – even those with prolonged exposure – don’t develop asbestosis, although those that do generally find the condition worsens over time.
Symptoms of asbestosis are similar to those of other conditions such as asthma, which can also make it somewhat difficult to diagnose. The most telling symptom of asbestosis is a shortness of breath; this can be mild at first, but can often worsen to the point where even no exertion causes breathlessness. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing and in some cases, a condition known as finger clubbing – a deformity or curvature of the fingers or fingernails.
Several tests are generally needed to determine the existence of asbestosis, including a pulmonary (breathing) test, a chest X-ray and a lung scan. Your doctor will also need a detailed history of any exposure to asbestos or other toxic dusts and your work history, whether you wore a respiratory mask, any co-workers diagnosed with asbestosis, etc. Asbestosis can’t be reversed, although it can be prevented from worsening with various medication and vaccinations to prevent flu and pneumonia.
It’s possible to prevent asbestosis to some degree, despite the common use of asbestos as a building and insulation material. Under Federal law, workers in certain industries must be adequately protected from potentially hazardous exposure, including the use of face masks and the systematic monitoring of asbestos levels. Although many homes built before the 1970s contain some asbestos products, the asbestos is mostly harmless unless disturbed or removed; and your risk of developing asbestosis is slight.
Although mesothelmeoma and asbestosis are the two most common diseases resulting from exposure to asbestos, there are others. It’s also possible to develop lung cancer, a disease that is made worse by smoking combined with exposure. Symptoms of lung cancer include a shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing and anemia. Lung cancer is very often fatal, especially when it is accompanied by asbestos exposure – it is estimated that an asbestos worker who smokes is statistically up to 90 times more likely to die than a non-smoker.
Some people exposed to asbestos develop what is known as pleural plaques, which are relatively benign and cannot in themselves cause cancer. A pleural plaque is an area of fibrosis that develops on the inner surface of the ribcage and the diaphragm. Up to half of those workers who have been exposed to asbestos are likely to develop at least one pleural plaque, often a calcified one.
If you have – or think you have – asbestosis or mesothelmeoma, always seek medical help, even though you may have been exposed to the asbestos many years ago. And depending on the situation, you may want to seek legal help as well; an experienced attorney can help you with your options concerning a lawsuit.
