ASBESTOS AND HEALTH

The health effects of asbestos exposure can be fatal

Asbestos and health effects.

July 12, 2010 – Asbestos and health. Occupational asbestos exposure increases a worker’s risk of developing serious lung diseases that include mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Health symptoms of mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer can take years to develop following work-site exposure.

If you once worked in the construction, heating systems or maritime industries where asbestos exposure was rampant, and you are concerned about asbestos and health, it would be wise to consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (a “pulmonologist”).

Asbestos and your health

Asbestos can seriously harm your health. The earlier these diseases are caught, the more effective mesothelioma treatments can be.

Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers constitutes asbestos exposure. There are no safe minimum levels of exposure to asbestos, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the EPA, the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are:

• Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart. Almost all cases are linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure. This is why great efforts are being made to prevent school children from being exposed.
  
  
• Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs. It 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 stream. Health symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
  
  
• Lung Cancer – Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos, and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.

If you once worked with asbestos-based products and suspect you have been diagnosed with any of the asbestos diseases cited above, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injury.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a legal force in the asbestos litigation field, having obtained record-setting verdicts and settlements for American workers injured by occupational asbestos exposure.

Protect your family’s future financial security today by obtaining a free appraisal of your case through the communication form at left. Learn about your legal options so you can make informed decisions.