Exposure to asbestos over longer period of time can have a damaging effect on health and in certain cases this can prove fatal. An asbestos related disease surfaces 15 to 54 years after initial exposure. For its properties of resistance to chemicals and heat, strength and flexibility, this naturally occurring mineral was widely used in many commercial products before. There are two main groups of asbestos, amphibole and serpentine. Under the amphibole group are tremolite, crocidolite, amosite, anthophylite, and actinolite. Chrysotile comes under the serpentine group.
It is from asbestos inhalation that many people are affected with asbestos related disease. Right from the 1940s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely used. Only from the mid 1970s, regulations regarding its use came into effect. In the 1990s regulations on use of asbestos became more stringent. When the fibers of asbestos are dry they disperse in the air easily. Serious health effects are caused on inhalation of these fibers, but the effects on health don’t show immediately. Symptoms are seen anywhere from 15 years onwards. Exposure to asbestos was very high a few decades ago since regulations never existed then and even if they did in some parts of the world, they were not as stringent as they are today.
Due to high inhalation of asbestos there are a number of people who are at risk. Those involved in renovation of old buildings, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, mine workers, those involved in ship building, construction workers, auto mechanics, those working in brake and auto clutch manufacturing industry, ship building etc. are at a greater risk. Lung cancer, Mesothelioma, Asbestosis are some of the asbestos related diseases.
Lung cancer:
Constant long term exposure to asbestos can cause cancer of the alveoli, bronchial tubes and cancer of the lungs. At higher risks are also those who smoke and exposed to asbestos, which leads to developing cancer of the lungs. Lung cancer in this case is caused by the combination of cigarette smoke as well as asbestos in the lungs. Infection of the lungs, pain in the chest, increasing sputum production, dry irritating cough and blood mixed with sputum are the common symptoms of lung cancer.
Mesothelioma:
This is a cancer of the lung lining called the pleura. It is mainly due to the inhalation of amosite and crocidolite varieties of asbestos that Mesothelioma is caused. Effects of this asbestos related disease are seen approximately 30 to 40 years later even. It has been seen 80 % of the time that this painful, aggressive and fatal cancer leads to death. The disease is restricted mostly to the lungs, and can also occur in the abdominal cavity, peritoneum. Unexplained loss of weight, sudden pain and swelling in the abdomen, constant pain in the chest and due to lung compression extreme difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath are some of the common symptoms of Mesothelioma.
Asbestosis:
When, over prolonged periods of time, asbestos particles are inhaled this asbestos related disease is caused. It is a restrictive and chronic lung disease. Effects of the disease take approximately 15 to 20 years to show up. Initially the cell membranes in the lungs get damaged by the inhaled asbestos fibers, causing tissues in the lung to harden and finally scars are formed, which is known as fibrosis. As the disease progresses, the lungs get completely affected.
Breathing becomes difficult due to the hardening of lung tissues , thus causing the intake of oxygen to reduce considerably. Because of the inability to replace it with fresh oxygen and the inability of removing carbon dioxide, pressure on the lungs increases. It is for this reason that it is called the restrictive lung disease. Pneumonia and bronchitis develop in those suffering from asbestosis. Excess phlegm, constant dry cough, pulmonary hypertension, shortness of breath, constant pain in the chest and difficulty in breathing are the common symptoms of asbestosis.
Obtaining medical help:
Symptoms and signs of an asbestos related disease could show up anytime if you have been exposed to asbestos at work over the past few decades. Understand that the symptoms do not subside naturally and hence it is important to take medical advice immediately. The affected person may not be able to live a perfect normal life after diagnosis. With prescribed medication you can prolong your life expectancy and have a chance to save your life. It becomes essential for people to be educated about the consequences and risks of exposure to asbestos.
Every year new cases are being diagnosed for an asbestos related disease. It is dangerous to remain exposed to asbestos. Talk to your physician immediately if you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos. Discuss the level of your exposure as early detection can help in preventing further damage, and chances of not developing deadly forms of cancer are reduced. As awareness amongst workers working in an asbestos environment has increased, many have been adopting measures to prevent exposure to the deadly fiber.