Health Effects of Asbestos

Health Effects of Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. If ingested, asbestos may cause cancer of the digestive system. It also may act as a skin irritant, causing itching and/or a rash. However, the biggest danger results from inhalation.
Three distinct diseases have been linked to asbestos exposure:
Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue, which eventually reduces lung capacity. A dose/response relationship has been established, meaning the greater the exposure, the more likely this disease will develop. Asbestosis has a 15-30 year latency period and death usually results from complications associated with the disease as it slowly shuts off the normal oxygen supply to the body.
Lung cancer has also been shown to have a dose/response relationship, although no "safe level" has really been determined. However, the risk of disease is increased substantially for a cigarette smoker working with asbestos, up to 90 times greater for a smoker than a non-smoker. The latency period between exposure and the onset of the cancer may be up to 20 years or more.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdominal lining (peritoneal mesothelioma). There is no dose/response relationship and no apparent relationship to smoking. Although relatively rare, it is almost always fatal. The latency period between exposure and cancer occurrence may be up to 20 years or more.

Mesothelioma Symptoms