Table Of Contents

Asbestos Explained

Homes built in a particular era or unprofessionally may pose a severe health risk. Some of these homes may have been built using materials containing asbestos fibres. As such, people may inhale airborne asbestos particles. Ultimately, such people may develop an asbestos-related disease.

Thus, it is essential to know what asbestos disease is and how to prevent it. Here, we will provide details about various asbestos-related conditions, their signs, symptoms, complications, and possible treatment.

Furthermore, this post will discuss cancer risks from asbestos exposure, support for those with asbestos-related diseases, Australian work health and safety laws, and identifying asbestos-containing materials. Finally, this article will highlight the reasons for leaving asbestos handling and management to asbestos professionals.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is classified as a group of naturally occurring minerals made of very fine crystals. These crystals can penetrate small airways when inhaled. Over time, these crystals not only irritate lung tissues but also cause inflammation, scarring, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Risk Of Developing Asbestos-Related Diseases

People who work in areas where they often breathe in asbestos fibres can develop an asbestos-related disease. Likewise, those who live with people who work with asbestos may develop an asbestos-related illness.

You may also be at risk of developing an illness if you lived with someone who worked with asbestos, played on piles of discarded asbestos as a child, or lived in an area where asbestos was mined.

Illnesses From Exposure To Asbestos

Illnesses that can be caused by exposure to asbestos include:

• Asbestosis

• Mesothelioma

• Pleural disease

• Lung cancer, and other cancers.

One common early sign that occurs in asbestos-related diseases is pleural effusion. Simply, pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Asbestosis

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to asbestosis - a chronic irritation of the airways. Asbestosis can be an interstitial lung disease (ILD), diffused pulmonary fibrosis, or Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

It stiffens the lung such that it is unable to expand. In turn, asbestosis causes breathlessness and persistent coughing.

Unfortunately, the disease can worsen over the years. This is the case even when exposure to asbestos has ceased.

Although asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, it may not show any symptoms over a long period. This period could take 10 to 20 years after asbestos exposure.

Signs and symptoms of asbestosis

Signs and symptoms of asbestosis depend on the severity of the disease. A typical first symptom of asbestosis is difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).

Other symptoms include chest pain, cough, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. Meanwhile, the symptom of clubbed (swollen) fingertips can occur in more advanced cancer cases.

Possible tests for diagnosing asbestosis

Asbestosis causes symptoms that you may also find with other types of lung disease. Some steps doctors take when diagnosing asbestosis include the following:

• Examining your breathing: They check for crackling in the lower lungs.

• Using lung function tests: Spirometry and lung volume tests can help rule out other lung diseases like asthma.

• Performing chest x-rays: To check for lung scarring and other asbestosis signs. Fibrosis appears cloudy in chest x-rays.

• Conducting CT scans.

• Discuss your work to check for risks of asbestos exposure.

Complications of asbestosis

It is possible to have the following complications of asbestosis:

Lung cancer

Cancer develops inside the lungs. Those who have asbestosis and smoke also have increased risks of developing lung cancer.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma cancer often develops in the lining of the abdomen, chest, or lungs.

Respiratory failure

Carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up in the tissues as the lungs cannot provide enough oxygen for the blood.

Right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale)

The right side of the heart stops functioning correctly.

Prevention of asbestosis

Simply avoiding long-term asbestos exposure can help reduce the risks of asbestosis. Do this by wearing a respirator (a mask that filters off particles from the air). This way, you reduce the chances of inhaling asbestos fibres or dust. Regular exams and chest x-rays can help people identify early asbestosis. This is expressly true for those individuals who have had asbestos exposure.

Treatment for asbestosis

An asbestos disease that has developed has no cure. The damage to the lungs is irreversible. However, some treatments can help. These include the following:

Pulmonary rehabilitation

The symptoms are managed using a dedicated lung health exercise programme and education.

Oxygen therapy

Here, a tank or machine provides oxygen-rich air to help improve breathlessness. For mild symptoms, an inhaler can help ease breathing.

Lung transplant surgery

In rare cases, symptoms can be relieved and life prolonged with a new, healthy lung from a lung transplant.

Necessary vaccinations

Your GP can ensure you get the flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination. This will reduce the vulnerability of your lungs to infections like flu and pneumonia.

Mesothelioma

You can also refer to this as pleural mesothelioma. It is a rare cancer affecting the covering of the lung (the pleura). There are two types of mesotheliomas that affect the lungs and the abdomen.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing troubles and pains below the rib cage. While the disease may be slow to develop (a possible 20 to 40 years), it can subsequently spread quickly. After that, it typically becomes fatal within a year.

Lung diseases

Asbestos exposure has since been linked to serious lung diseases and cancer. Asbestosis is associated with a high risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma. In addition, other non-malignant lung diseases can result. This includes pleural plaques and pleural thickening.

Pleural disease

This disease makes the lung lining (the pleura) inflamed. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing and the stiffening of the lung.

Pleural disorders

Asbestos may cause the following pleural disorders:

Pleural plaques

Pleural plaques manifest as thickened patches on the pleura or widespread fibrosis.

Pleural effusions

This is simply fluid in the chest cavity. These pleural effusions can be a symptom of non-mesothelioma cancers or late-stage mesothelioma. While these conditions are not cancerous and may not cause symptoms, they appear on chest x-rays. Likewise, lung function tests can indicate a reduced lung capacity.

Lung cancer

Those who have breathed in asbestos fibres are at risk of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is regarded as one of the fatal asbestos-related malignancies. For instance, the National Cancer Institute's record shows that lung cancer disease claimed over 8262 lives in AUS in 2017.

COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Asbestos exposure can increase your overall risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, it does not directly cause it. Rather, it may weaken the lungs.

As such, the person becomes more susceptible to further asbestos-related diseases. Regular screenings are essential to diagnose pulmonary and asbestos-related conditions on time. You can do this if you think you may have been exposed to asbestos.

Malignant Diseases Linked To Asbestos Exposure

Some common malignant asbestos-related diseases include mesothelioma cancer and lung cancer. Other examples are ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, and bile duct cancer.

Ovarian cancer

As of 2009, researchers confirmed the link between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer. Remarkably, asbestos fibres have been found in the ovaries of women exposed to asbestos. Furthermore, the fibres can get to the organs through the lymph system, bloodstream, or reproductive tract.

Laryngeal cancer

This asbestos-related malignant disease has been associated with asbestos exposure. However, the heavy use of alcohol and smoking continues to be more important risk factors for laryngeal cancer.

Bile duct cancer

A research study done in 2009 showed increased incidences of bile duct cancer among patients with prior occupational or household exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibres become trapped in the tiny tubules (bile ducts) that connect the gallbladder to the liver and small intestines.

Non-malignant Asbestos Related Diseases

These include the following:

• Asbestosis

• Pleural plaques and Pleural thickening

• Pleural effusion

• Peritoneal effusion (ascites)

• Atelectasis

• Pericardial effusion

Benign Asbestos-Related Diseases

Unlike asbestos-related malignancies and other cancer types, benign asbestos-related diseases are not cancerous and are more common. Examples include asbestosis and pleural effusions.

Although both benign and malignant diseases can develop after a single exposure, malignant conditions usually result from years of cumulative exposure.

Other Asbestos-Related Cancers

Likewise, asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing cancer of the larynx (the voice box). The same is true of cancer risk in the ovaries and testes. Other types of cancers that are likely associated with asbestos exposure include gallbladder cancer, oesophageal cancer, kidney cancer, and throat cancer.

Cancer Risks From Asbestos Exposure

The cancer risks from asbestos exposure can vary depending on the following factors:

• The period of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

• The number of asbestos fibres in the air you breathed in.

• Your frequency of exposure to asbestos fibres.

• The total length of time that has elapsed since the exposure.

• Your age when the exposure occurred.

• The size and type of asbestos fibres.

Asbestos-Related Diseases And Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of certain asbestos-related diseases. While those with asbestosis are at increased risk of developing lung cancer, the risks are more for those who smoke or have a smoking history.

As such, if you have been exposed to asbestos, it is best to stop smoking. It will reduce your risk of getting cancer. Besides, there is an environmental health factor to consider. After all, smoking can affect non-smokers too. Call your local Quitline for help with quitting smoking.

Tests For Asbestos Fibres

A lung biopsy and a bronchoscopy test can detect the presence of asbestos fibres. However, they cannot indicate an individual's amount of asbestos exposure. Neither can they determine whether the disease will develop.

Lung biopsy

This can detect microscopic fibres within pieces of lung tissues.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy test is less invasive than a biopsy. It can detect asbestos fibres in materials that have been rinsed out of the lungs. Remarkably, asbestos fibres can be detected in urine, faeces, and mucus. Still, you may not be able to determine the amount of asbestos present in an individual's lungs.

Asbestos-Related Disease Support Organisations

Some organisations can offer support for those with asbestos-related diseases. Specifically, some of them can evaluate the health effects of asbestos exposure. After that, they may help prevent or reduce these harmful human health effects.

Furthermore, you may get information on the closest occupational and environmental health clinics. Here are some organisations and other resources you could use:

• For concerns about asbestos in your home or generally, you can contact the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency or Asbestoswise.

• Affected veterans in some regions may be eligible for health care at medical cancer centres.

• The Lung Foundation Australia website is an excellent resource for lung protection measures. This is true, especially for those exposed to asbestos dust.

• Similarly, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) can get more information about asbestos exposure.

• Other related literature sources include the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia and the Safe Work Australia website.

• To know more about asbestos and your health, visit the Better Health Channel.

• Similarly, check the Asbestos Disease Research Institute for Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

• Great sources for cancer research include the American Institute for Cancer research and cancer research UK.

• If you think you could have possibly been in contact with asbestos, you may consult your mesothelioma doctor.

• You can also be connected to patient advocates with years of experience to assist you.

The Cancer Council Australia website

As a DIY home renovator, it can be of significant interest for you to visit the Cancer Council Australia website. It provides a free online course giving basic knowledge about asbestos. More so, you can learn more about the risks and safe practices.

Occupational Risks Of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was commonly used in the mid to late 1970s. This continued with the use of asbestos cement products well into the 1990s. However, the use of asbestos in brake linings, pads, and clutch plates has been phased out.

Consequently, those who worked in the following industries may have been exposed to asbestos:

• Asbestos mining, milling, and manufacturing

• Power industries

• Industrial building construction

• Shipbuilding

• Railway carriage construction

Similarly, if you work in the building trades, you may bear some risk. This includes such trades as plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. In the same vein, you may be at risk if you work on asbestos-containing materials in a way that releases asbestos fibres into the air.

Families of people who previously worked with asbestos may be at risk. They may have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos fibres retained on clothing.

Work Health And Safety Laws In Australia

As an employer or a worker, you should be aware of the work health and safety laws in your state and territory. These laws explain your duty of care and responsibilities to reduce the risks of asbestos exposure. For instance, you are required to ensure the workplace health and safety of all your workers and other people if you are an employer.

You ought to control workplace risks. In the same vein, you must take reasonable care of your own health and safety as a worker. Similarly, you must not negatively affect other people's health and safety. Likewise, you must follow all reasonable instructions and workplace health and safety policies if you have been notified.

Meanwhile, you can refer to Safe Work Australia's workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants. It specifies the limit and can be your first step in air monitoring for managing asbestos exposure.

Risks of asbestos exposure at home

If your Australian home was built or renovated earlier than 1990, it might still contain asbestos-containing materials. Still, many areas in the home may contain asbestos materials. These can include the following:

• Guttering

• Tile and carpet underlays

• Vinyl sheet flooring

• Fencing

• Roof sheeting and roof capping

• Eaves or soffits water pipes

• Gables and flues

• Flat/weatherboard style wall sheeting

• Building boards

• Brick cladding

• Sheds and carports

• Telecommunications pits

• Window putty

• Waterproof membrane

• Expansion joints

• Concrete form-work

• Packing under beams

However, asbestos fibres are only harmful if they are released into the air and inhaled. Additionally, the risk is reduced if asbestos-containing materials like asbestos cement sheeting are in good condition. This means the asbestos fibres are tightly bound and less likely to escape into the air.

Asbestos-containing materials should not be disturbed. It may lead to the release of asbestos fibres. For example, only qualified professionals should handle home renovations involving drilling, sawing, cutting, or breaking asbestos-containing material.

Using a healthy house checklist

A Healthy House Checklist is a visual guide that can help you and your renovators to understand better possible locations of asbestos-containing materials in or near your home. Moreover, it contains information on safely managing asbestos materials.

How To Tell A Material Contains Asbestos

Mere outward appearance (aside from labelling) may not be enough to tell you if a material contains asbestos. If unsure, get the material sampled and analysed by a qualified professional.

However, this has to be done with care. Sampling may prove to be more hazardous. You must take great care not to release asbestos fibres into the air. These professionals may contact a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory for sampling and testing.

How Asbestos Professionals Can Help

The hazards of handling asbestos-containing materials should make you wary. There are many reasons to leave the handling, management, and disposal of asbestos materials to asbestos professionals. These reasons include the following:

They are adequately trained

They are trained to handle asbestos material. Different asbestos materials require various handling measures. Hire a general asbestos contractor or a professional to manage specific asbestos-containing products.

There are multiple health risks

According to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA), exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of other types of cancers. These cancers include the stomach, colorectal, and pharyngeal/throat cancer.

Hire A Professional To Remove Your Asbestos

Having gone through this post, you are now more familiar with the various types of asbestos-related diseases. In addition, you now know the causes, prevention, and types of cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. In the same vein, you are now aware of sources of support and resources for those living with asbestos-related disorders.

This information can be worth knowing, even if you do not need cancer treatment. After all, more awareness needs to be created on the risks of asbestos exposure. If you come across any asbestos materials in your home, do not handle them yourself. Find an expert to remove the material professionally to prevent exposure and the risks associated with asbestos.

More from Our Blog

You Might Also Like

No items found.
See All Posts
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get New Posts to Your Inbox

A successful marketing plan relies heavily on the pulling-power of advertising copy. Writing result-oriented ad copy is difficult. 

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.