What you need to know about Asbestos
Health effects of asbestos exposure:
Asbestosis – a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of
the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung
tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it hard for
oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness
of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There
is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
Lung cancer – causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos
exposure. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a
change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath,
persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia. People who have been
exposed to asbestos and also are exposed to some other cancer-causing
product, such as cigarette smoke, have a greater risk of developing lung
cancer than people who have only been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma –is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin
lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart and almost all
cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. This disease may not show up
until many years after asbestos exposure.
Occupations with the highest risk for workers exposed to asbestos
fibers:
Construction workers handling or installing insulation.
Miners
Auto Mechanics
Roofers
Factory Workers
Electricians
Ship builders
Railroad workers
Gas mask manufacturers
Demolition workders
Drywall removers
Asbestos removal workers
Firefighters
Family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face exposure to
asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing
To prevent asbestosis:
Wear a protective mask or air supplied hood when working around
asbestos. Due to government regulations now in place, asbestos is no
longer used in building construction. However, older buildings often do
contain this harmful insulator so take precautions when remodeling or
demolishing older buildings.
Follow recommended industrial procedures to prevent exposure to
harmful dust during asbestos removal. Some of these methods involve
wetting down surfaces with water and covering asbestos loads with
various materials to prevent fibers from entering the air.
Engage in regular exercise designed to strengthen your cardiopulmonary
system. Keeping your heart and lungs healthy and strong will help them
ward off damage.
Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible. Smoking
causes similar damage to your lungs as asbestos exposure does, so if you
smoke you could be giving your lungs a double dose of poisoning.
Schedule regular x-rays if you work in asbestos-related industries.
They can detect shadows on the lungs that could be an early sign of
asbestosis.
For more information, please see the following related page on our
website:
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
