Asbestos was once used in a variety of industrial applications throughout the United States, such as in insulation, vinyl floor tiles, roofing shingles, textured paint, heat-resistant fabrics, and automobile clutches and brakes, just to name a few. It was also used heavily in the military, especially in shipbuilding. It has no taste or smell, and its microscopic fibers make it invisible to the naked eye. Thus, many people who have been exposed to asbestos aren’t even aware. 

Today, it’s widely known that this once hailed “miracle mineral” can cause serious health problems – particularly respiratory issues, such as asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer, as well many other chronic illnesses, including abdominal cancer, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, asbestos-related diseases can be difficult to diagnose mainly due to the fact that signs and symptoms are similar to many other types of diseases, and also due to symptom latency. Because symptoms may not show up for years, it can be hard to pinpoint the cause. When fibers are inhaled, they regularly cause inflammation and tissue scarring, over time leading to the development of health problems.

When people experience prolonged exposure to the asbestos fibers, it can also cause a condition called asbestosis. Asbestosis is a serious lung issue eventually developing into diffuse interstitial fibrosis and should not be confused with other asbestos-related diseases. This lung issue normally shows up within 10 to 15 years following exposure, and the main symptom is shortness of breath. For those who are exposed to asbestos fibers at work, asbestosis is sometimes referred to as occupational lung disease. 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another disease caused by asbestos exposure that makes it difficult to breathe. There are certain occupations where the risk for COPD is especially high, such in the construction, mining, automotive or shipbuilding industries. Those who worked in these industries prior to the mid-1980s are especially at risk.

It is also possible to get second-hand asbestos exposure. For instance, evidence shows that there is an increased risk of mesothelioma in those who live near an asbestos source, such as near mines, mills, and asbestos processing plants. This is because the fibers can easily travel in water, wind, or soil, impacting entire nearby communities. Experts believe that nearly 1 in 5 cases of asbestos-related diseases are caused by second-hand exposure. 

Experts believe that nearly 1 in 5 cases of asbestos-related diseases are caused by second-hand exposure.

It is important to note that while asbestos-related exposure is not contagious, many industrial workers also unknowingly bring asbestos home with them, exposing their family members. The fibers were brought home in their hair, on their skin, clothes, and shoes, and in their tool bags, lunchpails and vehicles. When clothes are washed, or the family shares a car, fibers can be kicked up into the air and ingested by anyone in the home.

Where Asbestos May Still be Lurking

Nearly every building constructed before the mid-1980s contained asbestos building materials and products.

Because the construction industry used asbestos so heavily for many years, there are numerous homes and other structures still standing that contain the mineral. If left undisturbed, asbestos can be harmless. However, as these structures age over time, they experience wear and tear, eventually causing fibers to break down and become airborne, making them easy to ingest. 

Renovating or demolishing older homes can be harmful if not done properly, with the help of a professional. Oftentimes, homeowners attempt these projects themselves without using protective gear. 

Awareness of asbestos exposure has greatly increased over the past few years, and after the EPA restricted the use of asbestos in the U.S. in the 1980s, most asbestos use has been replaced with safer alternatives. For instance, fiberglass is used in place of asbestos insulation and in fire blankets once made from asbestos. It is still used sparingly in areas where the risk of asbestos becoming airborne is very slim – such as in automobile parts and in cement.

For many decades, asbestos companies did not warn their employees about the dangers of working around asbestos.

When company doctors found that employees were sick, the company often just moved employees to another job without notifying them of the risks of cancer and other health damage to them and their families.

Employee X Ray Asbestos InternalLetter 3 26 59

In this letter, executives at the largest asbestos company in the world – Johns Manville – discuss what to do when an employee requests their company X-ray. The executives were concerned about legal exposure if the employee is sick and receives compensation for their injury.

Diagnostic Tools for Identifying Asbestos Damage

What is a B-reader, and what does it have to do with asbestos and cancer?

Due to the difficult nature of diagnosing asbestos damage to the lungs, getting an x-ray is a critical first step, and it is important that the x-ray technician is someone who is a certified B-reader. A B-reader is an individual who is trained to properly evaluate a chest x-ray to determine if any asbestos fibers inhaled have caused damage to the lining of the lungs. This could mean either tissue scarring or nodules. 

For workers in jobs that could potentially expose them to high levels of asbestos over a long period of time, regular chest x-rays may be necessary in order to monitor the health of their lungs. Getting an x-ray is as simple as scheduling a visit with a licensed physician and discussing one’s concerns.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms believed to be connected to exposure should schedule a visit with their physician right away to discuss next steps. An x-ray is the most common imaging technique and the radiation level is not harmful to one’s health. When the x-ray technician is conducting the scan, they can see anything abnormal, such as a tumor. Choosing not to get tested could mean the difference between life and death.

Early detection and intervention is key to obtaining the best possible outcome when it comes to living with an asbestos-related disease. The sooner a doctor and the patient are made aware of the presence of an asbestos-related disease, the easier it becomes to take steps to slow the progression of the condition. 

The CDC recommends ongoing monitoring for people who may have been exposed to asbestos.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), worker monitoring is also an important tool that can be used in order to prevent diseases in occupational settings. This type of monitoring refers to receiving regular chest x-rays to check for pneumoconiosis in individuals who may have been exposed to asbestos while on the job. The CDC houses a worker monitoring database where the agency can actively track areas in the United States where asbestos cases are surfacing, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also has guidelines in place for protecting the safety of those in the field.

In Conclusion

If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos on the job or at home, getting a chest x-ray and having it evaluated by a B-reader is essential. This will help determine whether there has been any damage caused to the lungs. Because x-rays are a common diagnostic tool used in the medical community, it simply takes scheduling an appointment with a licensed clinician to get the process started.

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/public_reading_room/asbestos_disorders.pdf