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The Risks of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos is not dangerous unless the tiny fibres become airborne. The people who are at the highest risk include people working with asbestos, smokers, and those who have pre-existing lung conditions. Second-hand exposure can result from workers bringing home asbestos particles in their clothing, shoes or hair, or laundering facilities that wash their clothes with asbestos. This type of exposure can also affect family members. 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 these fibers can irritate the lung tissue and then become stuck in the lung. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, which is known as asbestosis. This can also make it difficult for CO2 and oxygen to flow into and out of the lungs. This could lead to serious and life-threatening health conditions such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is usually caused by heavy 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 tinge on the skin from the lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity's lining (peritoneum) is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed after 30 to 40 years of exposure. San Diego asbestos attorneys can be fatal. People who have been exposed to asbestos should consult their doctor for a medical examination. A doctor will determine if additional testing is necessary in light of the patient's employment history, among other factors. This may include chest X-rays or the CT scan or a lung function test. An X-ray or a chest CT scan can detect changes in the lungs associated with asbestos exposure. However, these changes are not always noticeable to the patient. These changes can be identified by doctors who are experts in asbestos-related diseases. Since the signs of lung disease triggered by asbestos exposure can manifest over time, many people are unaware they are affected until it's too late. Other symptoms of asbestos exposure, along with lung fibrosis include shortness of breathe or chest pain, abdominal pain, persistent cough, weight loss and fever. Anyone who has been exposed to the virus should get an influenza vaccine as well as pneumonia vaccination. This can help prevent respiratory infections that can cause their health issues. It is also important to wash their hands frequently to reduce the risk of getting a respiratory infection. They should be part of support groups for people with asbestos-related illnesses. Treatment Asbestos can cause a myriad of health problems. The severity of these issues depends on the type of asbestos used and the length of time a person was exposed to it. It can cause respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and pleural effusions. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen. It can also lead to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract as well as kidneys. If you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, your medical team will recommend treatments that can help control symptoms and prevent complications. This could include medications and procedures, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational therapy and lung transplantation. There are also various support groups you can join to discuss your issues and concerns. People who have been exposed for many years to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Smokers are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses because smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lungs. The symptoms of these health issues may take between 10 and 20 years to develop, which is known as the latency period. Chest pain and breathing problems are the first symptoms of asbestos exposure. The lungs are scarred and can cause difficulty breathing. As the disease progresses, symptoms can worsen and a person can experience breathing problems even at the couch. They may also experience symptoms of fatigue, fever or weight loss. There is no cure for asbestosis, but some treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin the fluids in the lungs. A person with severe symptoms may also receive oxygen through an in-nose tube. Regular blood tests and X-rays are a way to monitor the disease, and identify any issues. It is important to have an appropriate diet and exercise, as this can help keep a person in good health. Stress can exacerbate symptoms and so it is crucial to avoid stress. 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 years, even after the exposure has stopped. The lungs aren't designed to get rid of these foreign materials 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 up to forty years to manifest. This is one of the reasons asbestos exposure is often not detected for many years even by those who were exposed to it on a regular basis. The tiny fibers of asbestos can be breathed in when asbestos is released into the air. Most of these will be carried away or sucked up in a layer of mucus, however some will bypass this system and lodge deep within the lung. This can result in a variety of diseases that reduce lung function. These include lung cancer as well as mesothelioma, which is a fatal cancer that targets the lining of organs internal to them, known as the mesothelium. Lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to identify in its early stages, as it is often a sign of other illnesses that cause chronic coughing, weight loss and chest pain. The risk of lung cancer is also increased by the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens that people are exposed to for example, tobacco smoke. Asbestosis can develop over the course of several years following exposure to asbestos and is typically diagnosed through an examination by a doctor, a work history, a chest xray or CT scan and tests for lung enzymes. Those with asthma may have an increased risk of developing asbestosis. The most severe asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It is a cancer that develops in the lung linings and internal organs. It can also form in the larynx and the ovaries. Anyone with exposure to asbestos are at increased risk for this kind of cancer, along with other forms of mesothelioma, which attack the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Mesothelioma typically takes a long time to develop, which is why it is essential for those who have had a history of asbestos exposure to have regular health examinations. Prevention Many homes and buildings constructed prior to 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tiles. In general, these materials are not a risk so long as they are unaffected. They pose a health risk when they are damaged or deteriorated. This is due to the release of microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, which can be inhaled or ingested. If this happens, the health risks are great and it's important to have any asbestos-related materials inspected, tested or removed by qualified professionals. Asbestos fibers are only able to cause disease when inhaled or ingested and then become lodged in the lung tissue. This can lead to several diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer (scarring of the lung). These diseases usually don't show symptoms until many years after the initial exposure. Asbestos-related diseases are primarily caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos is found in a variety of occupations such as mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Workers are still exposed to asbestos even if they are wearing personal protective equipment and are properly trained. Contrary to other poisons that 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 route. This could be due to water that is contaminated from eroding natural land sources or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also occur due to the accidental consumption of food items contaminated like clams and other seafood, that have been washed down by contaminated water. The greatest asbestos danger is to those engaged in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain asbestos, as well as those who work with hazardous waste. Those most at risk include those who were involved following the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in the cleanup, recovery, and rescue efforts. When working with asbestos it is recommended that workers wear full-body protection clothing and use a quality face mask. It is crucial that people working with asbestos are adequately ventilated.