Health Risks of Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment. Because of characteristics such as its durability, cloth-like qualities, and resistance to heat, it was used extensively in industries such as ship building and construction for most of the twentieth century. However, asbestos fibers are also very dangerous when they are inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos exposure, for example, is considered the leading cause of malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of asbestos cancer.

Most asbestos use in the United States was halted due to a 1989 ban issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is estimated that 27 million people were exposed to asbestos before this ban. Asbestos is still used in some products, although the risk of using these products must be clearly stated on a label.

Asbestos was used in the construction of many buildings, including houses, offices and schools. It is estimated that between 10 -15% of schools in the country still contain asbestos. For reasons like these, asbestos exposure is still possible and can occur in places like the home or work place, or at school.

Exposure to asbestos is a risk factor for a number of health conditions, which range from chronic, manageable conditions to fatal ones. Understanding the risk of asbestos exposure first involves understanding how exposure occurs. There are two forms of asbestos fibers: amphibole, which are described by the American Cancer Society as "thin, rod-like fibers," and serpentine, which are described as "curly and pliable".

When asbestos particles are released into the air, they can be inhaled and then absorbed in the lungs, or by the mesothelium (a membrane that lines many of the body's internal organs). Fibers can also be swallowed. As a result, cells can become cancerous over a period of 15-50 years after the first exposure. Secondary exposure is also possible for those who interact with those who were directly exposed. There are documented cases, for instance, of the family members of a worker being exposed to asbestos through fibers in clothing.

There are a number of factors that affect how an individual is impacted by asbestos exposure. These are: how much asbestos one was exposed to; how long one was exposed for; how often one was exposed; the type of asbestos one was exposed to; and other risk factors, such as smoking. The lungs and chest wall are primary parts of the body that are vulnerable to conditions caused by asbestos, leading to conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can also impact the abdominal wall (if the fibers are swallowed), the pericardium (a sac surrounding the heart) and, more rarely, the tunica vaginalis (tissue surrounding the testis in males). There is also some research suggesting that asbestos exposure contributes to the risk for colorectal, laryngeal, gastrointestinal, kidney and brain cancers. However, it has not been conclusively determined that asbestos contributes to these forms of cancer.

The non-malignant lung conditions that asbestos exposure causes include asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that involves coughing, shortness of breath damage to the lungs. Typically affecting those who were exposed to high levels of asbestos, asbestosis may develop over a period of 15 years or longer.

A slowly progressive disease, asbestosis can get more advanced over time. It can be asymptomatic, or it can makes it very difficult to breathe and be active. In the most severe cases, asbestosis can ultimately lead to death.

Asbestos exposure in lower levels also causes people to develop pleural plaque, which changes the membrane around the lungs; pleural thickening; and pleural effusions, which is the build up of fluid around the lungs.

Lung cancer and mesothelioma are the most serious risks of asbestos exposure. Both conditions can be fatal and mesothelioma almost always causes death. Both types of asbestos cancer can develop at least 15 years after the initial exposure, and mesothelioma can develop up to 50 years after exposure.

Lung cancer involves a tumor in the lungs. Non-small cell cancer accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases and small-cell cancer accounts for approximately 20% of cases. The type of lung cancer that one has determines the best way to treat it. Lung cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium and is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and coughing up blood. The types of mesothelioma are: pleural mesothelioma, which affects the pleura; peritoneal mesothelioma; pericardial mesothelioma; and testicular mesothelioma, affecting the tunica vaginalis. This disease is treated through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, experimental therapies (such as immunotherapy) or some combination of various mesothelioma treatments. Mesothelioma is not considered curable and often leads to death within a year of the initial diagnosis.

The risks of asbestos were known for over sixty years before its use was largely banned in the United States. In the 1920's, researchers first established the health risks of asbestos exposure. But asbestos continued to be widely used for another sixty years in both industries and in the production of household items such as certain adhesives and small appliances like coffee makers. There is ample evidence that the risk of asbestos exposure was widely known among industry leaders, including an industry group called the Asbestos Textile Institute. But industries failed to notify workers of these risks, or to provide adequate protection or safety equipment. As a result, generations of workers were exposed to asbestos and put at risk for developing lung cancer, mesothelioma and non-malignant respiratory conditions such as asbestosis and pleural effusions.

Most people are exposed to asbestos, in some form, during their lifetime. For most, the level of exposure is not sufficient to negatively impact health. But sometimes even a short-term exposure can later result in a respiratory condition. It is important for individuals to assess their exposure to asbestos, particularly if they, or a family member, worked in a high risk industry. Individuals can work with a physician to monitor their health for symptoms of respiratory conditions.