Pleural Plaques and Asbestos

Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to several lung changes, including pleural plaques. These changes occur after people have inhaled asbestos fibers for an extended period of time. Pleural plaques are areas of calcification on the lining of the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm. They typically show up clearly on chest x-rays as white-gray areas unless they are very thin. Occasionally, pleural plaques can become so thick that they resemble a tumor on an x-ray or CT scan. While other forms of lung damage can be due to a wide-range of causes, pleural plaques almost always indicate asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of Pleural Plaques

If no other lung damage has occurred, pleural plaques seldom interfere with a person's breathing. However, if asbestos exposure continues, the pleura can thicken to such an extent that it does interfere with breathing. Pleural thickening also appears in many lung conditions not caused by asbestos exposure. Most evidence suggests that pleural plaques are not a sign of future development of lung cancer. But if you smoke and have been exposed to asbestos, you should be aware that the combination of the two is more likely to lead to asbestosis or lung cancer.

Signs of Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are not a sign of asbestosis or mesothelioma. Instead, they act as warnings for doctors to recognize the possibility of asbestos exposure. When pleural plaques are first discovered, your health care provider should carefully evaluate your history of asbestos exposure and check for other signs of asbestos-related disease. If you are later diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, doctors will specifically treat that problem. Pleural plaques are permanent scars and are not treated as a separate condition.

Preventing Pleural Plaques?

The only way to prevent pleural plaques and other asbestos-related lung damage is to eliminate asbestos exposure. If you work with asbestos-containing materials, be sure that your company is following proper asbestos safety procedures and that you always comply with these measures. If you live in home that might contain asbestos materials, consult with an asbestos removal specialist to determine if these materials are safely intact. Asbestos-containing materials, including paint and plaster, are not dangerous unless they are crumbling and releasing asbestos fibers into the air.

Removing asbestos-containing materials can sometimes lead to asbestos exposure. All asbestos removal and abatement should be carried out by trained professionals wearing protective equipment. If you must remove asbestos-containing materials yourself, be sure to use proper removal and disposal procedures throughout the project. In addition, make sure to consult your local or state health department for advice on asbestos removal regulations. Failure to follow appropriate regulations can not only lead to health hazards, but stiff fines as well.

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