What Happens When You Breathe In Asbestos
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- Posted date:
- 16-11-2022
Signs of Asbestos Exposure Affecting the Lungs
The early signs of asbestos exposure are the symptoms that are associated with related asbestos diseases. There are actually no signs of simple exposure to asbestos that would be possible to identify for an asbestos disease begins to develop. Signs that you have been exposed to asbestos usually begin with the lungs. This is because asbestos exposure mainly leads to lung-based diseases.
Although, asbestos is also capable of causing diseases in many other different parts of the body. The signs of those diseases will usually affect the areas such as the colon, stomach, and throat. In the majority of instances, having a routine CT scan or x-ray can identify the presence of pleural plaques.
This is a sign that there has been enough exposure to the point that it is possible for asbestos-related diseases to form. Pleural plaques are not a sign that a person needs to be especially careful because they will rarely actually lead to symptoms. Plaques will begin to develop ten to thirty years after the exposure has taken place.
More indications include:
Asbestosis
Pleural thickening
Pleural plaques
Tightness in chest
Pleural effusion
Chest Pain
Complications with respiratory systems
Sound of crackling when trying to breathe
Shortness of breath
Wheezing or dry coughing
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was originally found in soil and rocks. It was found that the material has fantastic fibre durability and excellent resistance to heat which allowed asbestos to be used in many different ways, mainly in construction.
Some common uses for asbestos were for it to be used in construction materials, as well as a non-flammable material.
Unfortunately, being exposed to asbestos can lead to highly adverse effects on your well-being and health. Asbestos exposure can massively boost the chance of developing lung cancer.
The cancer of the mesothelial tissue, also known as mesothelioma, can begin to develop after a person has been exposed to asbestos.
The issue is it can take many, many years before the symptoms related to this exposure will appear.
People who work with asbestos are at a huge risk of developing mesothelioma themselves. When you are working in a space where there is a chance of asbestos exposure, it is necessary for a face mask to be worn. The lung disease known as asbestosis is not cancerous, but it is a chronic illness that is linked to a person being exposed to asbestos.
By inhaling asbestos' microscopic dust and fibres, what you are actually doing is scaring the tissue in your lungs. Years and years can pass before a person can even realise that they have asbestosis, and the condition is completely irreversible. The more that you have been exposed to asbestos, the worst the impact of the disease becomes.
Signs of Asbestos Exposure Affecting Other Parts of the Body
Hoarseness
Clubbed Fingers
Difficulty with swallowing
General loss of appetite
Hernia
Loss of weight
Abdominal swelling and distention
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Bowel obstructions
Am I at risk of Asbestosis?
Workers that are involved in the refurbishment process, maintenance, and other similar trades can be at high risk of exposure due to the work that they do.
Maintenance Staff such as caretakers
Engineers in Telecommunication
Building Surveyors, Architects, and other similar professions
Electricians
Ventilation Engineers
Heating Engineers
Demolition Workers
Joiners and Carpenters
Plumbers
Cable layers
Burglar and Fire Alarm Installers
CCTV Installers
Shopfitters
Gas fitters
Data and Computer Engineers
Roofing Contractors
Painters
Decorators
Plasterers
Workers in Construction
Of course, this list is not comprehensive and does not include every occupation that is at risk of being exposed to asbestos.
When am I most at risk?
A person is most at risk of asbestos exposure when:
- The building you're doing work on was built before the year 2000
- You are working on a site that is unfamiliar
- Asbestos-containing materials were not identified before the work on the property was started
- Asbestos-containing materials were identified, but this information was told to the people who are in charge of the work that is being performed.
- You have not done a risk assessment.
- You do not know how to work safely with asbestos or recognise asbestos
- You have not been through the appropriate amount of training, information, and training in dealing with asbestos
- You know how to work safely with asbestos, but you have chosen to put yourself at risk by not going through the proper precautions. This may be as a tactic to save time or simply because everyone else on the team was also not following procedures
Remember the following:
It is impossible to see or smell asbestos fibres that float and hang in the air.
The effects of asbestos exposure take many years to appear
People who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos are at a much greater risk
Asbestos is only a danger when the fibres become airborne and then breathed in
Are you looking for asbestos training in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire? For any extra information regarding asbestos training, you can follow the links below to find out more: