The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos isn't dangerous unless the tiny fibres become airborne. The people who are at the highest risk include those working with asbestos, smokers, and those who have pre-existing lung conditions.
Secondhand exposure can occur when employees bring home asbestos-containing particles on their footwear, clothing and hair or through launderers washing contaminated work clothes. Family members can also suffer from this type of exposure.
Symptoms
When asbestos is broken up or is disturbed, it releases tiny fibers into the air. They can be breathed in. When inhaled the fibers could be trapped in the lungs and irritate the lung tissue. This can cause scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. This can make it difficult for CO2 and oxygen to pass through the lungs. This could lead to life-threatening and serious problems, such as asbestosis and lung cancer.
Asbestosis typically occurs following prolonged, prolonged exposure. The most frequent sign is difficulty breathing. Other signs include coughing, chest pain and a bluish tint on the skin as a result of a the lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can be a threat to the linings of the lungs, chest cavity or the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should see their doctor for a medical exam. A doctor will decide if additional testing is necessary in light of the patient's employment history, among other factors. This could include chest X rays, CT scans or lung function tests.
An X-ray or chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs that are associated with asbestos exposure, but these changes are not always evident to the patient. These changes can be detected by specialists in asbestos-related diseases.
The signs of lung disease linked to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, so many people don't realize they're suffering until it is too late. Other symptoms of asbestos exposure in addition to lung fibrosis, include breathlessness, pain in the chest abdomen, persistent cough weight loss and fever.
People who have been exposed to asbestos should receive a vaccine against pneumonia and flu. This can help avoid respiratory infections that could worsen their health. It is also recommended to wash their hands often to decrease the risk of contracting an infection. They should be part of an organization that helps those who suffer from asbestos-related ailments.
Treatment
Asbestos can trigger a variety of health problems. The severity of these issues depends on the type of asbestos and how long an individual was exposed to it. It can trigger respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and Pleural effusions. It could also cause mesothelioma which is a rare tumor of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also lead to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Your medical team will suggest treatments to manage symptoms, and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related illness. These could include medications and procedures, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational therapy and lung transplantation. There are also a variety of support groups you can join to discuss your 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 chance of developing asbestos-related diseases, as smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lung. The symptoms of these health problems can take 10-20 years to manifest, and this is called the latency period.
The first signs of asbestos exposure are usually breathing problems and chest pain. The lungs are scarred and can lead to breathing difficulties. As the disease advances the symptoms may worsen. A person may even feel breathless at sitting down. They may also experience symptoms of fatigue, fever or weight loss.
There are Denton asbestos attorneys for asbestosis, but some treatments can help ease the symptoms and improve a patient's quality of life. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicine to thin lung fluids, and a person who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen through an in-nose tube.
Regular blood tests and X rays can be used to track the condition, and to identify any issues. A healthy diet and exercise can help keep one in good health. It is also crucial to not over-stress in order to avoid making the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most frequent symptom associated with asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. This is because microscopic asbestos fibers can stay in the lungs for years, even after the exposure has ended. The lungs aren't designed to eliminate these foreign substances, so they become inflamed and scarred over time. This condition is referred to as asbestosis, or pulmonary fibrous. It can take as long as 40 years for someone to experience symptoms of asbestos poisoning. This is one of the reasons why asbestos exposure can go undetected for so long even by those who worked with asbestos on a regular basis.
The tiny asbestos fibers can be inhaled when asbestos is released into air. The majority of these fibers will be removed by mucus or coughed however some will escape the system and end up within the lung. This can lead to several diseases that affect lung function. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma - a deadly cancer that targets the mesothelium, which is an organ's lining.
In its early stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to detect because it may resemble other diseases, including chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Additionally, the risk of lung cancer increases the more someone is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens like cigarette smoke.
Asbestosis is a condition that develops over the course of several years following the initial exposure. It is usually detected through a medical exam, background information, a chest x-ray CT scan, and tests for lung enzymes. Asthmatics could be at greater risk of developing asbestosis.
The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It is a cancer that develops in the lung linings and internal organs. It can also occur in the larynx and the ovaries. Anyone with exposure to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this type of cancer along with other forms of mesothelioma which attack the lining of the stomach and the intestines. It may take several years for mesothelioma's development. Therefore, it is important that those who have had a history of asbestos exposure undergo regular health examinations.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Many homes and buildings constructed prior to 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tiles. They generally pose no risk so long as they are undisturbed. They can pose an health risk when they're damaged or degraded. This is because they release tiny asbestos fibres into the air, which could be inhaled or ingested. If this happens, the health risks are significant and it's crucial to have any asbestos-related materials inspected, tested or removed by qualified professionals.
Asbestos fibers are only a cause of disease when they are inhaled, consumed and then absorbed into lung tissue. This can lead to a variety of illnesses like mesothelioma (lung cancer), asbestosis (scarring on the lung) and more. These conditions usually don't manifest symptoms until several years after the initial exposure.
It is the main occupational exposure that can cause asbestos based diseases. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of jobs, including mine workers, insulation contractors construction workers, asbestos abatement workers and maintenance and custodial workers. Workers can still be exposed to asbestos even though they are wearing personal protective equipment and have been properly trained.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can appear between 15 and fifty years after exposure. This is known as the latency period.
Rainwater can also expose individuals to asbestos via the water pathway. This could be due to water that is contaminated caused by erosion of natural land sources or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also happen due to the accidental consumption of food items that are contaminated like clams and other seafood, that have been washed down with contaminated water.
The greatest asbestos threat is present for those who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures which may contain asbestos as well as those who handle contaminated waste. The most at risk are those who worked following the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts. It is recommended that individuals wear protective clothing for their entire body and wear a top quality face mask when working with asbestos. Those who work with asbestos should also have adequate ventilation.