Health Effects
The Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos in materials is safe if it is in good condition, managed and not disturbed. If the material is damaged microscopic asbestos fibres can be released into the air and subsequently inhaled or ingested. It is exposure to these fibres that cause the diseases related to asbestos. The relationship between exposure and disease is difficult to define though generally high exposures over a long period of time are most likely to produce disease. However, the only assured way of protecting persons from becoming ill is to prevent all exposure where ever possible. Asbestos related diseases can take between 10 and 40 years to manifest and there are several diseases associated with exposure to asbestos including:
Pleural Plaques:
Asbestos related pleural plaques are small areas of localised thickening or scarring of the lining of the lung. They may be seen as an indicator of asbestos exposure and can also be a precursor to other asbestos diseases.
Asbestosis:
Asbestosis is a form of pneumoconiosis, a general term for a type of damage done to the interior of the lung by inhaled dust. Parts of the lining of the lung can scar and die resulting in a lower intake of oxygen causing shortness of breath and strain on the heart.
Lung Cancer:
A general cancer of the lung whose likelihood is greatly increased if the person is also a smoker.
Mesothelioma:
A cancer of the pleural lining and directly linked to asbestos exposure. Death usually occurs six to eighteen months after diagnosis.
Other Cancers:
Though occurrences are much less significant than lung cancer or Mesothelioma cancers caused by asbestos have been noted in the larynx, gut, colon and kidneys.
