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Asbestosis is a type of progressive lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Prolonged, regular asbestos exposure causes scarring in the lungs, but it can take years or decades for symptoms to develop. Asbestosis causes difficulty breathing, chronic cough and other lung problems.
Written by Karen Selby, RN • Edited By Walter Pacheco • Medically Reviewed By Kristopher Bunting, M.D.
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Selby, K. (2023, November 29). Asbestosis Causes. Asbestos.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.asbestos.com/asbestosis/causes/
Selby, Karen. "Asbestosis Causes." Asbestos.com, 29 Nov 2023, https://www.asbestos.com/asbestosis/causes/.
Selby, Karen. "Asbestosis Causes." Asbestos.com. Last modified November 29, 2023. https://www.asbestos.com/asbestosis/causes/.
Inhaling asbestos fibers causes asbestosis, a serious lung condition characterized by progressive lung tissue scarring. The human body can’t remove every inhaled asbestos fiber, and accumulation of these toxic fibers leads to asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used historically by many American industries until its use became regulated in the 1970s. Most asbestos exposure occurs in occupations such as construction, shipping, aerospace engineering and mining.
Although asbestosis is not cancerous, it is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the tissue layers covering the lungs, and lung cancer. Other possible asbestosis complications include respiratory failure, cancers of other organs and heart disease.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for asbestosis. As people have longer, more intense asbestos exposure, their risk of asbestosis increases.
All humans are exposed to small amounts of asbestos in the air, water and soil. However, this low-level exposure usually doesn’t cause illness. Most people who become ill from asbestos have a history of frequent, prolonged exposure.
Asbestosis shares many risk factors with mesothelioma. As a result, people with these risk factors who develop asbestosis also have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
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Most asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace. Direct exposure can occur through direct physical contact with asbestos-containing products or through breathing in small particles. Indirect exposure, also known as secondary exposure, occurs when someone comes into contact with asbestos fibers on clothing, furniture or another person’s body.
Asbestos exposure remains a significant concern for workers and others at risk of exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to improve safety standards to reduce asbestos exposure risk. As of March 2023, the EPA was collecting further data about asbestos dangers to support its proposed ban on ongoing asbestos use.
Asbestosis can have a long latency period, with symptoms usually taking between 20 and 30 years to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos. However, this period can shorten significantly for people exposed to greater amounts of asbestos, such as shipbuilders and insulation workers.
Other asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, can also take decades to develop after exposure. A recent study in South Korea examined the latency period of mesothelioma and lung cancer related to asbestos exposure. Researchers found that job type, asbestos type and the initial age at exposure have a significant effect on the latency period in addition to the amount and duration of the exposure.
Fortunately, imaging tests can identify signs of asbestosis before symptoms arise. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and feel out of breath occasionally, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor so they can recommend appropriate screening tests.
There are other asbestos-related diseases in addition to asbestosis. Some of these diseases are malignant, or cancerous; others are benign, or noncancerous.
When it occurs in isolation, without signs or symptoms of cancer, the disease is benign. Although benign cases are considered less serious than malignant ones, they can still be life-threatening.
Preventing asbestosis requires avoiding asbestos exposure. People who work in environments with significant exposure need to be proactive in order to limit their risk. Workers can reduce their exposure by ensuring their employer follows regulations and that they have proper training and certification to work with asbestos.
It’s important to know where asbestos exposure happens in order to prevent it. For example, if you’re working on a home renovation or demolition, check for asbestos beforehand if the home’s construction predates 1980. Avoiding old asbestos insulation products can also reduce exposure risk. If you discover asbestos in your home, you shouldn’t remove it yourself. A professional must assist with the disposal process.
These methods are useful for preventing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you think you have experienced asbestos exposure or have an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, you should talk with your doctor about testing and prevention strategies to avoid future exposure.
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