Asbestos fibres are extremely durable, and being so small they can easily be inhaled or swallowed. The fibres are barbed like fishhooks, if they lodge in tissue they cannot come out, only bury in further. If asbestos or asbestos containing material is disturbed it forms a dust that contains asbestos fibres. Asbestos becomes a health risk when asbestos fibres are released into the air and are breathed in. There's no cure for asbestosis once it has developed, as it's not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs.
Find out about industrial injuries disablement benefit on GOV. You can also get advice on benefits and compensation on the British Lung Foundation website. Page last reviewed: 04 August Next review due: 04 August Asbestosis is a serious lung condition caused by long-term exposure to asbestos. Am I at risk? Examples include: heating and ventilation engineers demolition workers plumbers construction workers electricians For more information on who could be at risk, read Health and Safety Executive HSE : am I at risk?
These companies even paid unscrupulous researchers, such as J. Wagner , who helped them deny any responsibility. However, the publication of new information about asbestos and medical evidence linking the mineral to cancer could no longer be ignored. Labor unions began to fight back. American companies phased out most uses of asbestos in the s, but it was too late for the workers who had been handling asbestos products for decades.
Asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the diseases their products cause because they covered up evidence of the health effects of asbestos and continued exposing workers and consumers. Former employees are filing lawsuits against asbestos companies, and so are the workers who used asbestos products on the job.
Family members who develop mesothelioma through secondhand exposure are also eligible to file a legal claim. People with mesothelioma can be compensated through multiple legal options, including trust funds established by asbestos companies that went bankrupt. Hundreds of thousands of patients and families have sought compensation for illnesses caused by the negligence of the asbestos industry. Tell your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure and ask them to screen you for related diseases.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is extremely important to get a second opinion from a mesothelioma doctor.
You are eligible for compensation if you were exposed to asbestos and develop mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis. Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to speak with a Patient Advocate? However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act CCPA , you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.
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If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at Toll Free Stages Stage 4 Symptoms Causes Diagnosis. Order Yours Now. Find a Doctor Dr. David Sugarbaker Dr. Paul Sugarbaker Dr. Get Help Now. Asbestos Cancer Lung Cancer. Read More. What Is Asbestos? Types of Asbestos The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of legally recognizes six types of asbestos that fall into two categories: Amphibole and serpentine.
Crocidolite Amosite Anthophyllite Tremolite Actinolite. This sample from Canada shows the curly structure of chrysotile asbestos. Where Does Asbestos Come From? Asbestos-Related Diseases Scientific studies show exposure to asbestos is linked to several diseases, including cancers. Find Specialized Treatment Asbestos-related diseases require specialized treatment from experienced doctors. Connect with a Top Doctor. You can be exposed to asbestos if you enter these environments.
If exposed to asbestos, many factors contribute to whether harmful health effects will occur. These factors include:. Laboratory studies and studies of asbestos workers show us that asbestos can make you sick. If you breathe asbestos fibers, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.
No amount of asbestos is considered safe. Products that contain greater than 1 percent of asbestos minerals are considered to be asbestos-containing. The more asbestos you are exposed to, the more likely you are to get an asbestos disease. Asbestosis and lung cancer are dose-related diseases. Dose-related means the more asbestos you breathe, the more likely you are to get sick. The one asbestos disease that is different is mesothelioma.
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