The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is not dangerous until the microscopic fibres are airborne. The people who are at the highest risk include people working with asbestos, smokers and those who have pre-existing lung conditions.
Secondhand exposure can occur when employees bring home asbestos particles on their shoes, clothing and hair or through launderers washing work clothes that have been contaminated. 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. Once inhaled these fibers can cause irritation to the lung tissue and become stuck in the lung. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. It can make it difficult for carbon dioxide and oxygen to move through and out of the lungs. This can lead to serious and life-threatening health issues such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis usually occurs after prolonged, prolonged exposure. The most common sign is difficulty breathing. Other signs include chest pain, coughing and a bluish hue on the skin due to a lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a cancer that can affect the linings of chest cavity, lungs and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure.
People who have been exposed to asbestos should visit their doctor for a physical exam. Based on the person's work history and other factors, the doctor will determine if any additional testing is needed. This could include chest X-rays, CT scans or lung function tests.
A chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs caused with asbestos exposure, however these changes are not always noticeable to the patient. They can, however, be detected by doctors 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 realize they are affected until it is too late. Other signs of asbestos exposure in addition to lung fibrosis, include shortness of breathe or chest pain and abdominal pain, persistent cough, fever, and weight loss.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should receive a flu and pneumonia vaccine. This can help prevent respiratory infections that can worsen their health problems. It is also important to wash their hands often to decrease the chance of contracting a respiratory infection. They should also join support groups for people with asbestos-related diseases.
Treatment
Asbestos may cause a variety of health problems. The severity of these problems depends on the type of asbestos used and the length of time a person was exposed to it. It can trigger respiratory diseases like asbestosis and Pleural effusions. It could also cause mesothelioma which is a rare tumor of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system and kidneys.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness the medical team will suggest treatments to manage symptoms and prevent complications. These treatments can include medications and procedures like occupational therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants. You can also join support groups to discuss your health issues.
People who have been exposed over many years to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Smokers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, as smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lung. The duration it takes for symptoms to appear.
The chest pain and breathlessness are the first symptoms of asbestos exposure. The scarring of the lungs can cause difficulty breathing. As the condition progresses, symptoms may get worse and people can become breathless even at the couch. They may also experience fatigue, fever and weight loss.
There is no cure for asbestosis, but certain treatments can help ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medicine to thin the fluids in the lungs. A patient suffering from severe symptoms could receive oxygen through an in-nose tube.
Having regular blood tests and X-rays can aid in monitoring the condition and help identify any possible complications. A healthy diet and exercise can help keep one in good health. Stress can cause symptoms to worsen and it is essential to stay clear of it.
Diagnosis
The most common symptom of asbestos exposure is difficulty in breathing. The reason is that asbestos fibers which are microscopic remain in the lungs even years after exposure. The lungs are not designed to get rid of these foreign materials, so they become irritated and scarred over time. This condition is known as asbestosis, or pulmonary fibroids. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take as long as forty years to appear. This is one of the reasons why asbestos exposure can go unnoticed for so long even by those who were exposed to it regularly.
The tiny fibers of asbestos can be inhaled as asbestos is released into the air. The majority of these fibers will be transported by mucus or coughed however, some may bypass the system and end up within the lung. This can cause several conditions that affect lung function. This includes lung cancer as well as mesothelioma which is a deadly form of cancer that targets the mesothelium lining of the organs.
Fontana asbestos attorney that is caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because it often mimics other ailments such as chronic coughing weight loss, chest pain. The risk of lung cancer increases with the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens a person is exposed too for example, tobacco smoke.
Asbestosis is a condition that develops over a period of years following exposure to asbestos and is usually diagnosed with an examination for medical conditions, work history, a chest x-ray or CT scan, and tests for lung enzymes. Asthma sufferers may be at an increased chance of developing asbestosis.
The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It develops in the linings of the lungs and internal organs. It can also occur in the larynx and ovaries. Patients with a history of exposure to asbestos are more prone to develop this kind of cancer, as is mesothelioma, which affects the intestinal lining and stomach. It can take many years for mesothelioma development. This is why it is important that those who have had a history of asbestos exposure go through regular health checks.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Many homes and buildings constructed before 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tiles. In general, these materials are safe so long as they are undisturbed. Only when they become damaged or deteriorate do they become a health hazard by releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air that could be inhaled or ingested. The health risks are high and it is important to have asbestos-containing materials that may be suspected examined, tested, or removed by professionals.
Asbestos fibers are only able to cause disease if they are inhaled or ingested, and then are absorbed into the lung tissue. This can lead to a variety of illnesses, such as mesothelioma (lung cancer) asbestosis (scarring on the lungs), and more. The signs of these illnesses are usually not evident until years after initial exposure.
Asbestos-related diseases are primarily caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos can be found in a variety of jobs which include mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Workers can still be exposed to asbestos even though they wear personal protective equipment and have been properly trained.
In contrast to other poisons, which often have immediate effects, the symptoms of asbestos related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to manifest after exposure. This is known as the latency period.
Rainwater can also expose individuals to asbestos via the water path. This could be due to water that is contaminated caused by erosion of natural land sources or the waste of mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also happen accidentally by eating food items contaminated with asbestos such as clams or other seafood that have been washed with polluted water.
The greatest asbestos risk is currently for workers who are involved in the demolition and repair of structures that could contain asbestos and who handle waste that is contaminated. The most at risk are those who were involved in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in cleanup, rescue and recovery efforts. It is recommended that individuals wear full-body protective clothing and wear a top quality face mask when working with asbestos. It is essential that people working with asbestos have adequate ventilation.