Asbestos in the Lungs (Part 2):
Be sure to read Asbestos in the Lungs Part 1.Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that, when pulled into fibers, was used for decades in the U.S. as a flame retardant in clothing and construction materials. We now know that inhaling asbestos causes nonmalignant diseases such as asbestosis and pleural plaques. It can also cause cancers including lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and the always fatal mesothelioma—a cancer of any one of the mesothelial layers in our body (most commonly of the lungs or abdomen but also the testicular and pericardial mesothelium). The use of asbestos is now banned in 52 countries and is highly restricted in the U.S.
How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?
Although the use of asbestos in the U.S. is now restricted, it is still used in small amounts in things like car brake pads and clutches, home insulation and some vinyl tiles. Moreover, because of the widespread of asbestos in building materials until the 1980’s, many materials containing asbestos are still in buildings across America. People who work with asbestos materials, like auto mechanics or asbestos abatement professionals, or repair or remodel buildings containing asbestos, like construction workers or custodians, can still be exposed to asbestos if they don’t wear the proper safety materials.
What Happens When Asbestos Enters the Body?
When asbestos is inhaled, some of the fibers will be exhaled, but others will become lodged in air passages and the cells that make up the lungs. A portion of these asbestos fibers will be coughed up in mucus and swallowed, passing through the digestive system and lodging in tissue along the way. While some ingested fibers will be excreted in urine or feces, others will pass in to the blood stream, lodging in other tissues throughout the body. Asbestos fibers can even be carried to a fetus in a pregnant mother.When asbestos fibers are in the lungs and the surrounding tissue, scar tissue will begin to build up. This scar-like tissue doesn’t expand and contract like healthy lung tissue and breathing will become difficult. This leads to asbestosis, a serious disease with coughing and chronic shortness of breath. When the lungs aren’t fully functioning, decreased blood flow to the lungs can also lead to an enlarged heart.Even occasional exposure to asbestos can lead to pleural plaques, lesions on the lining of the lungs, and thickening of the lining of the lungs. These physical indicators of asbestos exposure may not appear for 20 years after exposure and they may be an indicator that mesothelioma will develop.Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen, is caused by exposure to asbestos and is difficult to treat. Whether or not someone exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma can vary depending on a number of factors, including: (1) the length of exposure to asbestos; (2) how recent the exposure is and (3) smoking cigarettes. Smoking and asbestos exposure also increase your chances of getting lung cancer.If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation and assistance. For a FREE consultation, call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO, or contact us here.
