Asbestos- An Insight

Asbestos is an age-old material used in the construction business. 100 years ago, it was considered as an ideal building material because it was cheap, easy to use and fireproof. In the last century about 25 million tons of asbestos was used for the construction of schools, offices, buildings, homes and shipyards. Asbestos was used everywhere and was found even in small things. It was used on industrial equipments for fireproofing and insulation. It was only after 20th century that scientists and doctors realized that large no. of people was dying because of this mineral. Most of the people dying lived in the area near to asbestos mines and asbestos fabrication plants. These people died primarily because of pulmonary and lung diseases. Studies showed link between asbestos and cancer by the year 1940. It was only in the year 1955 that scientists confirmed co-relation between ingestion of asbestos fibers and mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. It has been now discovered that asbestos industry was well aware of the complications and risks related to asbestos. However, they do not want the people and victims to learn about the dangers associated with asbestos.

Asbestos exposure causes four diseases directly. The chances of catching an infection are directly related to the duration of asbestos exposure and type’s asbestos exposure. Following are the four diseases associated with asbestos:

Mesothelioma:
It is one of the most commonly associated diseases with asbestos exposure. It is an unusual type of lung cancer within the thin tissue membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs. Weight loss, coughing, pain in the lower back or side of the chest and shortness of breath are few symptoms of mesothelioma. It is one of the most dangerous asbestos diseases because even the low exposure to asbestos can affect body

Asbestosis:
It is a non-cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the functional tissues of the lungs. Scarring causes lung impairment and heart diseases. Crackling and dry sound upon inhalation, shortness of breath and coughing includes the symptoms of Asbestosis. Advanced asbestosis may lead to cardiac failure. Latency period of slow and progressive asbestosis is 15 to 30 years.

Lung Cancer:
The individuals who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period suffers from this type of lung cancer. It develops by obstructing air passages through lungs. It is a typical type of lung cancer associated with asbestos .It is found in the lower lobes of the lung. The risk of lung cancer increases with excessive smoking along with the exposure to asbestos.

Pleural Plaque or Thickening:

It is not a cancerous condition but only a scarring on the lining of the lung. Restricting breathing capacity impairs lung function.