The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos isn't a danger until the microscopic fibres are airborne. Workers who work with asbestos, smokers, and those suffering from lung diseases are at greatest risk.
Secondhand exposure can occur when workers bring home asbestos particles on their shoes, clothing and hair, or by cleaning their work clothes with asbestos. Family members may also be affected by this kind of exposure.
Symptoms
Asbest releases fibers in air when it is broken apart or disturbed. These can be inhaled by those around. When inhaled, these fibers may irritate the lung tissue and get stuck in the lungs. This can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. This can also make it difficult for oxygen and CO2 to flow into and out of the lungs. This can cause life-threatening and serious problems, such as lung cancer and asbestosis.
Asbestosis is usually caused by prolonged exposure over a long period of time. The most common symptoms of asbestosis are difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing and a blue-tinged tint on the skin due to lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect the linings of lungs, chest cavity or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma tends to be fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure.
A medical exam is recommended for people who have been exposed asbestos. Based on the person's employment history and other factors, the doctor will determine whether additional tests are needed. This could include chest Xrays as well as an CT scan, or a lung function test.
These changes may not be visible to the patient, but can be identified by X-rays or chest CT scans. However, they can be detected by doctors who specialize in asbestos-related diseases.
The symptoms of lung disease due to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, so many people don't know they are affected until it's too late. Other signs of asbestos exposure, in addition to lung fibrosis include breathlessness, pain in the chest, abdomen, persistent cough, weight loss and fever.
Those who have been exposed to the virus should get a flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccination. This will help avoid respiratory infections that could make their health worse. It is also recommended to wash their hands frequently to reduce the chance of contracting an infection. They should be part of an organization that helps those who suffer from asbestos-related ailments.
Treatment
Asbestos may cause a variety of health issues. The severity of the health problems depends on how long and what type of asbestos a person has been exposed to. It can lead to respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and the development of pleural effusions. It could also cause mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system as well as kidneys.
If you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease the medical team will suggest treatments to manage symptoms and prevent complications. These may include medicines and procedures like pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational therapy and lung transplantation. There are many support groups you can join to discuss your symptoms and concerns.
People who have been exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time are at risk of developing a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Smokers are particularly at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses since smoking cigarettes causes irritation to the lungs. The symptoms of these health problems may take between 10 and 20 years to manifest, and this is known as the latency.
The chest pain and breathlessness are the first signs of asbestos exposure. They are caused by the scarring that harms the lung and makes it difficult to breathe. As the disease advances, symptoms can worsen. The patient may become breathless when at the couch. They may also experience fever, fatigue and weight loss.
There is no cure for asbestosis, but certain treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin the lung fluids and those with severe symptoms can receive oxygen through a tube in their nose.
Regular blood tests and X rays are a way to monitor the disease, and identify any issues. Exercise and a healthy diet can help keep one in good health. It is also important to not over-stress in order to avoid making the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most frequently reported symptom with asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. The reason is that asbestos fibers which are microscopic can remain in the lungs even years after exposure. The lungs are not designed to eliminate these foreign substances and, as a result, they can become irritated and scarred over time. This condition is known as asbestosis or pulmonary fibrous. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning may take as long as forty years to appear. This is one of the reasons asbestos exposure can go unnoticed for many years even by those who worked with asbestos on a regular basis.
The tiny fibers of asbestos can be inhaled when asbestos is released into the air. The majority of these fibers are removed by mucus or coughed, but some will bypass the system and end up inside the lungs. This can result in a variety of lung diseases that can impair function. This includes lung cancer as well as mesothelioma - a deadly cancer that attacks organ linings called the mesothelium.
In its early stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to identify because it can be a symptom of other diseases, like chronic chest pain, coughing and weight loss. Additionally, the chance of lung cancer is increased the more one is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens like cigarette smoke.
Asbestosis develops over the course of several years after initial exposure and is usually diagnosed with an examination by a doctor, a work history, a chest xray or CT scan, and tests to determine lung enzymes. People with asthma are at an increased risk of developing asbestosis.
The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs and other organs in the internal. It can also occur in the larynx or ovaries. People with a history exposure to asbestos are more prone to develop this type of cancer, as is mesothelioma, which attacks the interior of the intestines as well as the stomach. Mesothelioma usually takes many years to develop, so it is crucial for those with a history of asbestos exposure to have regular health examinations.
The following is a list with preventions.
Many houses and buildings built prior to 1970 still have asbestos pipes or floor tile. So long as these materials are not disturbed, they pose no health risk. Only when they become damaged or deteriorate do they become a health hazard through the release of tiny asbestos fibers into the air which could be inhaled or consumed. If this occurs, the health hazards are high and it's essential to have any suspected asbestos materials inspected, tested or removed by qualified professionals.
Asbestos fibers can only cause disease if they are inhaled or ingested and then lodged in the lung tissue. This can lead to a variety of illnesses, such as mesothelioma (lung cancer) asbestosis (scarring on the lung), and more. Symptoms of these illnesses are usually not evident until years after initial exposure.
It is the most common occupational exposure that causes asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos can be found in many occupations, including those of mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Workers may still be exposed to asbestos even though they are wearing personal protective equipment and have been properly trained.
Irving asbestos attorney of asbestos-related illnesses can be noticed between 15 and 50 years after exposure. This is called the latency period.
In addition to occupational exposure, it's also possible for individuals to be exposed via the water system by drinking water contaminated by asbestos resulting from erosion of natural land sources, or due to mill tailings from mining or mines that have been discarded or disintegration of asbestos cement pipe that is carried by rainwater. Ingestion may also occur accidentally due to the consumption of food that is contaminated like clams or other seafood that has been washed in the contaminated water.
Currently, the greatest asbestos-related danger is for those who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures that could contain asbestos, as well as those who work with waste that is contaminated. The most at-risk are those who worked following the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those involved with rescue cleanup, recovery, or cleanup efforts. When working with asbestos it is recommended that workers wear protective clothing for their entire body and use a quality face mask. Those who work with asbestos must also be provided with adequate ventilation.