According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos is a mineral fiber commonly used as insulation and a fire retardant. When disrupted, damaged or destroyed, asbestos microfibers become airborne and can be inhaled. Once in the lungs, these microfibers can cause serious health conditions. According to the American Lung Association, there are an estimated 10,000 deaths per year, in the United States, due to asbestos-related diseases.
Cancer
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has classified asbestos as a carcinogen. Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer. The most common form of cancer caused by asbestos is mesothelioma. This cancer causes thin membranes to line the chest and abdominal cavities.
Exposure to asbestos can also lead to other forms of cancer, including lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, gallbladder, throat, esophagus and kidneys.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious non-cancer disease of the lungs. When the asbestos fibers are inhaled, they damage the lung tissue and cause scarring. This scarring impedes oxygen from getting into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath and a crackling sound when inhaling. According to the EPA, there is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
Other Lung Conditions
In addition to cancer and asbestosis, asbestos can cause other serious lung conditions like pleural plaques and benign pleural effusions. Pleural plaques are changes in the membranes surrounding the lungs. Benign pleural effusions are a build-up of fluids in the layers of tissues lining the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity.
Symptoms
Symptoms may not occur or may not be detected for years. Consult a doctor if you experience the following symptoms: shortness of breath, persistent and chronic coughing, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, swelling in the neck and face, chronic fatigue, dramatic loss in weight, coughing up blood or anemia.
Diagnosis
A documented history of exposure to asbestos is vital in diagnosing asbestos-related medical conditions. Chest x-rays can be used to determine any lung abnormalities. A lung biopsy may be done to diagnose specific conditions.
