The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos poses little risk unless the tiny fibers become airborne. The asbestos-related workers smokers, asbestos workers, and those with lung diseases are at the highest risk.
Second-hand exposure can result from workers bringing asbestos particles home in their shoes, clothing or hair, or by launderers washing contaminated clothes. Family members can also suffer from this type of exposure.
Signs and symptoms
Asbest releases fibers in air when it is broken or disturbed. These can be inhaled by people nearby. After inhalation, these fibers could cause irritation to the lung tissue and get stuck in the lung. Asbestosis, or scarring of lungs can result. It can also make it difficult for oxygen and CO2 to pass through the lungs. This could lead to serious and life-threatening health issues, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is typically caused by prolonged exposure over a long period of time. The most commonly reported symptom is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing and a bluish tint on the skin due to the lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect the linings of the lungs, chest cavity or the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma tends to be fatal and is usually diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should visit their doctor for a medical exam. Based on the person's work background and other factors, doctors can determine whether additional tests are required. This could include chest X-rays, CT scans or lung function tests.
A chest CT scan can detect changes in the lungs that are associated with asbestos exposure. However, these changes may not be evident to the patient. They can however be identified by doctors who specialize in asbestos-related diseases.
Symptoms of lung disease related to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, and many people don't know they're affected until it is too late. In addition to lung fibrosis, potential signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath or chest pain or belly or a persistent cough, weight loss and fever.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should get the flu and pneumonia vaccine. This can help to prevent respiratory infections that can cause their health problems. Also, they should clean their hands regularly to lower the chance of contracting a respiratory infection. Kenosha asbestos attorney should be part of a support group for those with asbestos-related illnesses.
Treatment
Asbestos is known to cause a myriad of health problems. The severity of these problems depends on the type of asbestos used and how long an individual was exposed to it. It can lead to respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and the development of pleural effusions. It can also lead to mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system and kidneys.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease Your medical professional will suggest treatments that can help control symptoms and prevent complications. This could include medications and procedures like occupational therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplantation. There are many support groups you can join to discuss your symptoms and concerns.
People who have been exposed over an extended period of time to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related ailments because cigarette smoke irritates the lungs. The symptoms of these health problems may take between 10 and 20 years to develop, which is known as the latency.
Chest pain and breathing problems are the first sign of asbestos exposure. The lungs are scarred and can result in breathing problems. As the disease progresses, symptoms can worsen. A person may even become breathless when at the couch. They may also experience fever, fatigue and weight loss.
Asbestosis isn't curable, but certain treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Doctors may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin the lung fluids and those who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen via the nose through a tube.
Regular blood tests and X-rays can help monitor the disease and detect any issues. A healthy diet and exercise can keep a person in good health. Stress can trigger symptoms and it is essential to stay clear of it.
Diagnosis
The most frequently reported symptom with asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. The reason is that asbestos fibers, which are microscopic, remain in the lungs for years after exposure. As the lungs were not designed to remove foreign materials and irritate the lungs, they aggravated over time. This condition is called asbestosis, or pulmonary fibrosis. It can take as long as 40 years for someone to experience symptoms of asbestos poisoning. This is the reason asbestos exposure can be undetected by those who work with it regularly.
The tiny fibers of asbestos can be inhaled when asbestos is released into air. The majority of the fibers will be carried away through cough or mucus however some will escape the system and end up in the lungs. This could lead to a number of conditions 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 can mimic other diseases, including chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Additionally, the risk of developing lung cancer increases the more a person is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens, like cigarettes.
Asbestosis typically develops a few years after the first exposure. It is detected through an examination by a doctor, a work history, chest xrays or CT scans, and tests for lung enzymes in the blood. Those with asthma may have an increased chance of developing asbestosis.
The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining as well as other organs in the internal. It can also develop in the larynx and ovaries. People who have exposure to asbestos are at increased risk for this type of cancer along with other forms of mesothelioma, which attack the stomach lining and the intestines. It can take a long time for mesothelioma development. Therefore, it is important that those with a history asbestos exposure go through regular health checks.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Many homes and buildings built prior to 1970 contain materials like asbestos pipes and floor tiles that are in good condition. They generally are safe in the event that they remain undisturbed. These materials become a health risk when they are damaged or degraded. This is because they release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, which can then be inhaled or ingestion. The health risks are extremely high and it is important to have asbestos-containing materials that are suspected of being inspected, tested, or removed by experts.
Asbestos fibers can cause illness if inhaled, ingested and then absorbed into lung tissue. This can lead to several diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer (scarring of the lung). The symptoms of these diseases don't usually appear until several years after exposure.
Asbestos-related diseases are typically caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos exposure can be found in many occupations including insulation contractors, construction workers, asbestos abatement workers and maintenance and custodial workers. Even if workers have been properly trained and wear personal protective equipment, they may still be exposed when the asbestos is damaged or disturbed in any way that allows the microscopic fibers into the air.
Contrary to other poisons that often have immediate effects, the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to develop after exposure. This is called the latency period.
In addition to occupational exposure, it's also possible for people to be exposed via the water pathway by drinking water that has been contaminated with asbestos from erosion of natural land resources, or as a result of mill tailings or mining wastes that are discarded or the breakdown of asbestos cement pipe that is carried by rainwater. Ingestion can also happen through accidental consumption of food items contaminated such as clams or other seafood, which have been sprayed down with the contaminated water.
The greatest asbestos hazard is to workers who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain asbestos, as well as those who work with contaminated waste. The most at risk are those who were involved following the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in cleanup, rescue and recovery efforts. When working with asbestos it is recommended that people wear protective clothing for their entire body and use a quality face mask. The asbestos-working personnel should also be provided with adequate ventilation.