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Serious Health Problems Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos are fibrous minerals that occur naturally in the environment. Because of asbestos' long, strong, flexible, and heat-resistant fibers, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, especially those in building materials. Asbestos fibers enter the air when sources of asbestos are disturbed, and as they do not evaporate into air, those fibers remain suspended in the air for a long period of time. Asbestos fibers can be released when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during product use, demolition, building or home maintenance, repair, or remodeling.

So what happens when asbestos fibers are released into the air? Asbestos exposure can lead to serious health effects, many of which don't appear for years after exposure. Major health problems from asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma and lung and pleural disorders including asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural effusions. Diseases from asbestos exposure can take a long time to develop; most lung cancer or asbestosis cases occur at least 15 years after initial exposure to asbestos, while mesothelioma can appear 30 years after exposure.

Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers for a long time can lead to asbestosis, or scar-like tissue in the lungs and the pleural membrane, or lining, that surrounds the lung. Asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar, making it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis, and it can lead to disability and death.

Asbestos-related cancerous diseases include mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural membrane surrounding the lung or abdominal cavity; almost all cases are linked to asbestos exposure. Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos, and common symptoms include coughing, change in breathing, shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia. Cigarette smoke and asbestos together significantly increase chances of getting lung cancer.

If you suspect you may have developed asbestos-related health problems, you can be medically tested. Low levels of asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or lung washings. To evaluate the possibility of an asbestos-related disease, you must undergo a thorough health history, physical exam, and diagnostic exams, including chest x-rays, lung function tests, and CAT scans.

If you have reason to believe your Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia home may contain asbestos, do not handle it. Treat the material as if it does contain asbestos and contact RTS Environmental Services, Inc. immediately. The RTS Environmental Services, Inc. team includes experienced, trained, and licensed professionals who take their time to examine possible asbestos-containing sources and materials. RTS Environmental, Inc. has provided thousands of thorough mold and asbestos inspections and solutions throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area.

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