Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material previously widely employed in the manufacturing, automotive, and construction sectors. However, its long-term health effects were only wholly recognised in the middle of the 20th century. Numerous serious and frequently deadly respiratory illnesses are now recognised as being brought on by asbestos exposure.
Due to such severe consequences, the US finally banned this mineral in 2024. As stated by the BBC, it has already been banned in around 50 other countries worldwide. Asbestos was linked to around 40,000 US deaths annually, but it still took the country so long to ban it.
This article examines the long-term health effects of many major respiratory illnesses that are connected to asbestos exposure.
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Asbestosis
One of the most well-known illnesses linked to asbestos exposure is asbestosis. It is a long-term lung disease brought on by asbestos fibre inhalation, which causes the lung tissue to become severely scarred (fibrotic). The symptoms of asbestosis usually get worse with time, and it can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years to develop.
An NCBI article states that construction workers are at the highest risk of developing asbestosis due to long-term exposure. Around 39% of cases in Japan were found in people installing asbestos in the construction industry. It was followed by the sprayer of asbestosis, which accounted for 38.5% of the cases. In the UK, insulation workers and asbestos strippers were at the highest risk.
Lung function declines due to lung tissue scarring, which limits the lungs’ capacity to expand and contract. Shortness of breath, a chronic dry cough, tightness in the chest, and exhaustion are common symptoms of asbestosis. Respiratory failure, in which the lungs are unable to provide the body with enough oxygen, can result from severe asbestosis.
According to TorHoerman Law, people who develop asbestosis or other health conditions due to asbestos exposure are eligible to file a lawsuit. The conditions arising from the exposure are severe and can be life-altering. Therefore, those eligible can file a lawsuit and seek compensation to help them through this transition.
You can find an asbestosis lawyer and file a case against the employer or manufacturer of the product through which you were exposed. The attorney will help you throughout the legal process and even represent you in court. Therefore, take your time and research to find the right lawyer for your case.
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Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are another lung ailment associated with asbestos exposure. These are calcified, thicker tissue patches that develop on the pleura, the thin membrane lining the chest cavity and lungs. Pleural plaques do not necessarily affect lung function or are malignant. However, they are a sign of asbestos exposure and a higher chance of developing other, more serious illnesses.
Pleural plaques frequently appear decades after the first asbestos exposure. Although they often don’t create any symptoms, they can occasionally result in slight breathing difficulty or chest discomfort. Pleural plaques on imaging scans indicate that a person may be at risk for developing more severe diseases.
Exposure to asbestos from refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs) or mineral wool fibres (MWFs) is primarily associated with developing pleural plaques. An NCBI study found a significant dose-response relationship for the cumulative exposure index. Several interactions were found between asbestos and MWF or RCF.
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Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion results from accumulating extra fluid in the pleural space, the narrow opening between the chest wall and the lungs. Asbestos exposure can irritate the pleura, causing inflammation and fluid buildup. This ailment may be acute or persistent, and it frequently serves as a precursor to more severe illnesses linked to asbestos exposure.
A dry cough, breathing difficulties, and chest discomfort are signs of pleural effusion. The extra fluid compressing the lungs can significantly impact lung function. Pleural effusions can sometimes go away on their own, but in most cases, medical assistance is needed to drain the fluid and alleviate symptoms.
This condition is usually considered to be a marker of the development of an advanced disease. It can lead to deaths if not brought under control as quickly as possible by the doctors. According to a Frontiers study, the mortality rate is highest in the first month at 22.6%. This rate increases to 49.4% in the first year. At one month, bilateral effusions were linked to a greater death rate than unilateral effusions.
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Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is arguably the most dreaded illness linked to asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma instances occur in people who were exposed to asbestos for an extended length of time. This disease is virtually solely associated with asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma frequently develops 20 to 50 years after exposure, which is an extremely lengthy latency period. Chest pain, dyspnea, and chronic cough are early indicators of mesothelioma, which are frequently mistaken for other respiratory conditions. As a result, by the time the disease is identified, it is often in its advanced stages.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the second most common neoplasm in tumour predisposition syndrome, making for 22% of all diagnosed neoplasms. Compared to sporadic malignant pleural mesothelioma, the median age at diagnosis is 46 years old. In contrast, patients with BAP-1 TPDS had a seven-fold greater overall survival rate than those with wild-type MPM.
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Lung Cancer
One known risk factor for lung cancer is asbestos exposure. Even if they have never smoked, those exposed to asbestos have a far increased chance of getting lung cancer. Those who smoke and are exposed to asbestos are especially in danger.
Similar to mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer frequently has a protracted latency phase. Lung cancer is still one of the most deadly types of cancer in the world. However, the prognosis varies depending on the kind of cancer and how early the disease is discovered. The problem is that similar to MPM, lung cancer takes at least 10 years to develop after the initial exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does asbestos exposure have a safe threshold?
Asbestos exposure has no recognised “safe” limit. Over time, even modest exposure levels can cause the emergence of dangerous illnesses, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Health agencies such as the OSHA and the WHO have set strict restrictions to minimise exposure; nonetheless, the most significant defence is total avoidance.
Do children and adults react differently to asbestos exposure?
Indeed, youngsters could be at greater risk for the long-term consequences of asbestos exposure. Their prolonged life expectancy may result in an extended incubation period for diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma, raising their chance of contracting asbestos-related illnesses later in life. Furthermore, children’s growing lungs can be more vulnerable to the harmful consequences of asbestos fibres inhalation.
How may a person be examined for illnesses linked to asbestos exposure?
If people think they may have been exposed to asbestos, they should see a medical expert, especially a pulmonologist who specialises in lung disorders. Testing may involve pulmonary function tests, CT scans, or chest X-rays to find early indications of lung injury. A lung tissue biopsy may occasionally be necessary to detect some diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure can cause a wide range of respiratory disorders, many of which are hindering. Inhaling asbestos fibres is the common cause of all of these illnesses. On the other hand, their severity and course vary substantially.
Early detection and prevention are particularly crucial, given the long latency periods associated with many disorders. Even though asbestos is prohibited or subject to strict regulations in many countries, there is still a substantial danger to health.
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