Asbestos-related diseases can surface many years after exposure to the substance. The two primary diseases related to asbestos exposure are mesothelioma and asbestosis, and both can be difficult to diagnose initially due to their commonplace symptoms in the earliest stages. Asbestosis most directly affects the lungs and abdominal area, because its fibers are inhaled and subsequently lodge themselves in the lungs for long periods of time.
Background
Asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate, a fibrous mineral once valued as a fire-retarding agent. It is a naturally occurring substance that was mined and used in a number of products, most notably as an insulation substance in commercial architecture. Asbestos was found to have severe effects on both people and the environment, however: not only was it found to be a carcinogen, but the fibrous nature of the mineral also made it dangerously easy to inhale, often leading to long-term respiratory problems. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in the 1970s banned asbestos use in certain products, and later the Environmental Protection Agency put an end to all new uses of asbestos under the Clean Air Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Susceptibility and Risk
Asbestos is found in nature. It appears in trace amounts in air and water and is therefore virtually inescapable. However, symptoms and side effects are typically associated with more concentrated daily exposure to the substance. Tobacco and asbestos are catalysts for one another: if you have a history of smoking and are exposed to asbestos, your chances of developing lung cancer increase exponentially; likewise, if you have been exposed to hazardous amounts of asbestos in the past, smoking puts you at a much higher risk than either smoking or asbestos would alone. Otherwise, those most susceptible to asbestos-related diseases are people who have been exposed to it in high concentrations or for long periods of time, or both. Asbestos becomes especially dangerous when its fibers are somehow disrupted and fly into the air, making it difficult to avoid inhalation. Construction workers tearing down an asbestos-filled building, for instance, are at high risk for disease.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, or cancer in membranes surrounding most internal organs, is the type of cancer most frequently associated with asbestos. Signs and symptoms often include anemia, weight loss, fatigue, coughing (sometimes with blood), difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Bowel function may be compromised. Fluid sometimes builds up in the pleural area, causing pain. In severe cases, tumors can form in the affected areas. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and often requires combinations of common cancer treatments (radiation, chemotherapy and sometimes surgery).
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease in and of itself, but it also puts the patient at risk for lung cancer. The primary symptom of asbestosis is short breath, in extreme cases causing respiratory failure. Asbestosis occurs when the tissue in the lungs is scarred by trapped asbestos fibers. The lung tissue is then irritated to the point of inflammation, sometimes secreting fluids that further interfere with breathing. There is no complete cure for asbestosis. Symptoms may be controlled through nebulizer or oxygen therapy, and some patients attempt to loosen the trapped fibers by causing the chest to vibrate through various percussive methods.
Government Involvement
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has taken measures to supervise the use of asbestos in the workplace. It is particularly concerned with protecting workers from the substance and can be contacted if an inspection is thought necessary. There are a number of government provisions for asbestosis and mesothelioma patients. States typically have sovereignty over these issues, and the appropriate governmental agencies should be contacted if necessary.
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