The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is not dangerous until the microscopic fibres are airborne. People who work with asbestos or smokers, as well as those suffering from lung diseases are at greatest risk.
Secondhand exposure can happen when workers bring home asbestos-containing particles on their footwear, 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 is broken up or is disturbed, it releases tiny fibers into the air. These can be inhaled by people who are near. Once inhaled the fibers could become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation to the lung tissue. Asbestosis, or scarring lungs can result. This can make it more difficult for CO2 and oxygen to enter and exit the lung. Santa Barbara asbestos lawyer can cause serious and life-threatening health issues, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestosis is usually caused by prolonged exposure over a long period of time. The most frequent symptom is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and a bluish hue on the skin due to lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity's lining (peritoneum), can occur in asbestos-exposed individuals. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed after 30 to 40 years of exposure and tends to be fatal.
A medical exam is recommended for those who have been exposed asbestos. A doctor will determine if additional testing is necessary in light of the patient's employment background, as well as other factors. This may include chest X-rays or an CT scan or lung function test.
An X-ray or chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs that are associated with asbestos exposure, but these changes may not be evident to the patient. These changes can be detected by doctors with expertise in asbestos-related illnesses.
Symptoms of lung disease related to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, which is why many people don't know they are affected until it's too late. Other signs of asbestos exposure in addition to lung fibrosis, include breathing problems or chest pain and abdomen, persistent cough, weight loss, and fever.
Those who have been exposed should receive the flu vaccine as well as pneumonia vaccination. This can help to prevent respiratory infections that can exacerbate 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 support groups for people with asbestos-related illnesses.
Treatment
Asbestos can cause a myriad of health issues. The severity of health issues is determined by the length of time and the type of asbestos a person has been exposed to. It can cause respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis or pleural effusions. It may also lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also lead to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract as well as kidneys.
Your physician will recommend treatments to manage symptoms and avoid complications, if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. These may include medicines and procedures like occupational therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplantation. There are many support groups that you can join to discuss your health issues and concerns.
People who have been exposed over an extended period of time to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases because smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the lung. The symptoms of these health issues may take between 10 and 20 years to develop, which is known as the latency.
The earliest symptoms of asbestos exposure include breathing problems and chest pain. The lungs are scarred and can cause difficulty breathing. As the disease progresses, symptoms can worsen and a person can become breathless even at in a relaxed state. They may also experience fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Asbestosis is not curable, but certain treatments can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicine to thin lung fluids and a person who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen via an in-nose tube.
Having regular blood tests and X-rays will aid in monitoring the disease and detect any issues. It is important to have an appropriate diet and exercise, as this can help keep one healthy. It is also crucial to try and not stress because it can make the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most frequent symptom associated with asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. This is due to tiny asbestos fibers can be buried in the lungs for many years, even after the exposure has stopped. The lungs aren't designed to eliminate these foreign substances which is why they get inflamed and scarred over time. This condition is called asbestosis or pulmonary fibroids. It can take up to 40 years for a person to develop symptoms of asbestos poisoning. This is why asbestos exposure can go unnoticed by those who work with it regularly.
The tiny asbestos fibers can be inhaled as asbestos is released into the air. The majority of them will be swept away or coughed up in mucus. However, some will go through this process and get trapped deep inside the lung. This can cause various conditions that affect lung function. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma which is a deadly form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, which is an organ's lining.
In its early stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to recognize because it can be a symptom of other diseases, like chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Additionally, the risk of lung cancer is increased the more a person is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens such as cigarette smoke.
Asbestosis typically develops a few years after exposure. It is diagnosed by a medical examination, work history, chest x-rays, CT scans, and blood tests for lung enzymes. Asthmatics could be at greater risk of developing asbestosis.
The most severe asbestos-related illness is mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the lungs and other organs in the internal. It can also occur in the larynx and ovaries. People who have an asbestos-related history are at increased risk for this type of cancer, and other types of mesothelioma that attack the stomach's lining and intestines. It may take several years for mesothelioma development. This is why it is essential that people with a history asbestos exposure have regular health checks.
Prevention
Many buildings and homes built prior to 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tile. They generally are not a risk as long as they remain undisturbed. Only when these materials are damaged or become deteriorated do they pose a health risk by releasing microscopic asbestos fibers into the air that can be breathed in and consumed. The health risks are very high and it is essential to have asbestos substances that could be examined, tested, or removed by professionals.
Asbestos fibers will only cause a health issue when they are inhaled or consumed and later lodged in the lung tissue. This can cause diseases, including mesothelioma asbestosis or lung cancer (scarring of the lungs). The symptoms of these diseases are usually not evident until several years after the initial exposure.
Asbestos-related diseases are primarily caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of occupations, including mine workers, insulation contractors construction workers, asbestos abatement workers and maintenance and custodial workers. Workers can still be exposed to asbestos even if they are wearing personal protective equipment and have been properly trained.
Unlike other poisons, which typically have immediate effects, the symptoms of asbestos related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to manifest after exposure. This is referred to as the latency period.
Rainwater may expose people to asbestos through the water path. This could be due to water that is contaminated from natural land sources that are eroding or the discarded cement or mining pipe. Ingestion can also occur through the consumption contaminated food such as clams or other seafood that have been cleaned with polluted water.
The highest risk of asbestos exposure is currently for workers who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures which may contain asbestos as well as those who handle contaminated waste. The most vulnerable are those who were employed following the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those involved in rescue cleanup, recovery, or cleanup efforts. It is recommended that these individuals wear protective clothing for their entire body and wear a high-quality face mask when working with asbestos. It is important that those who work with asbestos are adequately ventilated.