Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber known for its high strength and resistance to fire and chemicals. Because of these features, asbestos is commonly used in construction materials, military equipment, and automotive parts. Every person is at risk of asbestos exposure in some way or the other since asbestos can be present in the air and water.

Asbestos fibers cannot cause any significant damage to health as long as they are not released into the air. Once airborne, the fibers disintegrate into smaller particles that can be inhaled. They accumulate in the lungs earlier in the body, causing severe illnesses. People who work closely in areas rich in asbestos are much more prone to develop diseases related to asbestos exposure. Some of these diseases are discussed below. 

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin lining surrounding numerous organs in our body. Healthcare professionals divide mesothelioma in terms of the organ it involves. Though mesothelioma can involve the tissues of the abdomen, heart, or even testicles, it most commonly affects the linings around the lungs called the pleura. 

Fortunately, patients can secure financial compensation by contacting legal experts in and out of their state. Previous reports from the National Library of Medicine rank California, Texas, and Florida among the states with higher incidence rates based on several demographic factors. Therefore, it might be easier for you to find a lawyer if you look up ‘mesothelioma attorneys California‘ but check your state’s listings as well. Finding a lawyer near you makes casework easier.

Lung cancer

Most Lung cancers occur secondary to long-term cigarette smoking. However, a small portion of lung cancers has also been linked to repeated asbestos exposure. Asbestos puts both smokers and non-smokers at an equal risk of lung cancer. 

Though lung cancer takes decades to develop and requires continuous asbestos exposure, it takes only a month to spread throughout the body. The inhalation of asbestos particles accumulates the tiny fibers within the lung tissue. Over several years, these fibers cause significant cell damage and genetic changes. The regular cells eventually turn cancerous with repeated exposure to asbestos and continuous cellular mutations. 

Patients with lung cancer secondary to asbestos exposure experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain in the thorax, and blood in the sputum. The course of the disease depends on the type of cancer, its stage, and the nature of its spread. Aggressive treatment modalities are available, which aim to either kill the cancerous cells entirely or limit their spread to the body’s normal tissues. In severe cases, patients are offered palliative care that can help alleviate pain and manage symptoms to enhance the quality of life. 

Asbestosis 

Though noncancerous, asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that occurs because of a long-standing exposure to asbestos. Despite it not being cancerous, the condition is considered life-threatening.

Asbestosis is an interstitial lung disease that limits the lung’s expansion and relaxation capabilities. Continuous exposure to asbestos damages the lining of the lungs, resulting in progressive lung damage caused by scarring. Because of the inflammatory process and lung fibrosis, the tiny air sacs in the lungs become thicker and lose their elasticity. As a result, the capacity to transfer oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the body is significantly reduced. These changes clinically manifest in shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. 

The cessation of asbestos exposure can limit the prognosis of the disease. However, it cannot reverse the damage caused to the lungs. The symptoms experienced by patients can be alleviated through medical therapy. 

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion is essentially the accumulation of fluid between the thin lining of the pleural membrane surrounding the lungs. Once asbestos fibers accumulate along the pleura, they cause inflammation and thicken the otherwise thin pleural membrane surrounding the lung. Progressive inflammation releases chemicals that cause blood vessels surrounding the lungs to become more leaky, resulting in increased fluid around the lungs. With the constant pressure exerted by the fluid surrounding the lungs, the lungs are compressed, resulting in shortness of breath. Pleural effusions can occur due to several causes, one of which is asbestos exposure. 

Pleural effusions can occur because of several causes, one of which is asbestos exposure. Pleural effusions may also occur with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or even asbestosis. Though pleural effusions on their own are not a threat to life, they may cause difficulty in breathing and pain over time. Even though the fluid can be drained through pleurodesis, the condition is much more likely to re-occur. 

Bile duct cancer

Research has shown that long-standing exposure to asbestos puts an individual at high risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma, otherwise known as a bile duct tumor. The bile ducts are a network of tubes that carry bile from the liver to the intestines to digest fats.

Researchers have found that repeated exposure to asbestos results in its accumulation within the circulatory system, from which it is then delivered via blood to multiple organs, including the liver. The highly porous vessels of the liver allow asbestos to be deposited in the liver, which causes significant changes and mutations in the cells. The transformations of the liver cells make them cancerous, thereby causing a significant threat to life. 

Conclusion

Asbestos exposure is still a public health concern, though not as much as it used to be since the mineral’s use has been largely banned. Still, it is responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide, causing cancerous and noncancerous diseases among those exposed to its fibers. Nearly 3000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Regular health checkups can help you spot disease symptoms before it becomes a big problem. If you feel you are at risk of asbestos exposure, consult your physician and take measures to modify your environment.