Asbestos Control Program

Health Effects

Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause several illnesses
such as Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Pleural Plaques. The primary route of asbestos exposure is through the air. Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling

When you breathe asbestos fibers into your lungs, some of the fibers will be deposited in the air passages and on the cells that make up your lungs. Many of the fibers are removed from your lungs by being exhaled out or coughed up in a layer of mucus to the throat where they are swallowed into the stomach. Fibers that are deposited in the deepest parts of the lung (alveoli) are removed more slowly. In fact, some fibers can remain in place for many years and may never be removed from your body. The alveoli are the location in the lung where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange take place. Asbestos affects both the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs.

Asbestosis

Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers may result in scar-like tissue in the lungs and in the thin lining (pleural membrane) that surrounds the lung. This scar-like tissue does not expand and contract like normal lung tissue, therefore breathing becomes difficult and oxygen intake is greatly reduced. Blood flow to the lungs may also be decreased causing the heart to enlarge. The first symptoms of asbestosis include persistent chest pain, coughing, a crackling sound in breathing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may not appear for 10 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestosis is a serious, debilitating disease and can eventually lead to disability and death.

Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma

There are two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Lung cancer is the most common of the serious health effects associated with asbestos fiber exposure. The time from first exposure to onset of this disease is often 20 to 40 years. It has been proven that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer for individuals exposed to asbestos. Early diagnosis increases an individual’s chance for survival. Treatments include surgery and radiation treatment.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lung (pleural membrane) or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). This disease is almost always fatal, often within a few months of diagnosis. Similar to lung cancer, onset of mesothelioma is often 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos fibers; however some cases have been diagnosed in much shorter periods.

Pleural Plaques

Breathing of asbestos fibers may result in changes in the thin lining surrounding the lung (pleural membrane) called pleural plaques. Pleural plaques can occur in workers and sometimes in other people exposed to high airborne levels of asbestos. Pleural plaques alone are usually not serious, but higher exposures can lead to a thickening of the pleural membrane that may restrict breathing. There is conflicting evidence as to whether their presence accurately predicts risk of more serious disease development in the future.

Other Illnesses

Studies of workers also suggest that breathing, and possible even ingesting, asbestos fibers can increase the probability of contracting cancer in other parts of the body (stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, and kidneys). However, these studies are not conclusive and are still being evaluated.

Risk Factors

The level of asbestos exposure that leads to lung disease depends on several factors. The most important of these are (1) how long you were exposed, (2) how long it has been since your exposure began, (3) your body’s specific response to asbestos fibers, and (4) whether you smoked tobacco. The most important way to lower one’s risk of developing asbestos related disease is to avoid or lower exposure to asbestos. There are established accepted exposure levels for both the general public and asbestos workers; however, any exposure to asbestos carries a risk. Smoking and asbestos together significantly increase your chances of contracting lung cancer. Some studies have shown the risk of developing lung cancer is 50 times greater for smokers vs. non-smokers. Therefore, if you have been exposed to asbestos you should stop smoking. This may be the most important action that you can take to improve your health and decrease your risk of cancer.

Health Related Web Resources  

Click on the listed items below to go to their website

National Cancer Institute

 
U.S. National Library of Medicine

NIOSH Publications On Asbestos