Asbestos was used for many decades to reduce the risk of fire in buildings, particularly factories. It was also used as siding on houses. Asbestos is a mineral---either chrysotile or amphibole---that has long fibers. Like so many materials used in industry, the health effects weren't discovered for years. It can cause a cancer called mesothelioma. There are some distinct signs and symptoms of asbestos inhalation.
Proximity
If you worked in a facility that used asbestos in construction, you may have been exposed to it. This may be especially true if you were nearby when portions of the building were being built or demolished. Since there are strict rules about the removal of asbestos, information about work sites is available from the government. To find information about a site where you may have been exposed, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at the address listed in Resources section below.
Dry Cough
A cough that does not produce phlegm and is persistent may be a symptom of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer found in the majority of mesothelioma victims. Since mesothelioma may take more than 15 years to develop, a victim may not associate the symptom with exposure. If the cough continues, see a physician.
Night Sweats
Night sweats can occur for other reasons than asbestos inhalation, but the condition also is one of its symptoms. Terrible sweating at night that results in a soaked bed or clothing can be a sign you are suffering from mesothelioma. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, in most cases, night sweats aren't related to serious medical problems.
Chest Pain
Since asbestos fibers remain in the lungs for many decades, a sudden and then persistent chest pain can be a symptom as well. This pain can spread to or be specific to the ribs, too. In addition, or instead of specific pain to an area, this can cause pain during breathing.
Weight Loss
In both types of mesothelioma---the more common pleural mesothelioma and the less common pericardial mesothelioma---sudden weight loss of up to 10 percent of body weight, also can be a sign the disease is present.
Early Symptoms
There usually are no early symptoms of asbestos inhalation. Chest X-rays generally do not show the fibers in the lungs. A CT scan or lung function test may reveal the existence of alterations to the lungs created by the presence of asbestos fibers, but these do not occur for many years. The range for symptoms to occur usually begins approximately 15 to 50 years after exposure.
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