Chest X-rays and Asbestos

Asbestos leaves tell-tale signs where it damages the body.

A specially licensed radiologist known as a B-Reader can examine your chest X-ray for asbestos damage.

People who have been exposed to asbestos are often unaware of their exposure until much later in life. While certain symptoms can help indicate a prior experience of asbestos exposure, these symptoms have to be connected to medical procedures such as X-rays to help verify and diagnose asbestos-related diseases. But how does this process take place and what kinds of medical professionals are involved? Here’s what you need to know about Chest X-rays and asbestos.

The Indestructible Mineral, With a Catch

Thousands of years ago, humanity discovered naturally-occurring silicate minerals we know today as asbestos. Early on, asbestos was seen as a profound mineral because of its impressive durable qualities. This fibrous mineral would withstand natural elements such as fire and water, making it essentially fireproof, corrosion-proof, non-conductive, and insoluble. 

The durability and resistance of asbestos makes it persistent and deadly in the human body.

It was discovered that asbestos fibers could be used for common applications such as clothing, pottery, and wicks. Eventually, these silicate minerals went on to take the ancient Greek name asbesto, meaning unquenchable or indestructible. From ancient cultures all the way through the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, asbestos was the industry standard. Sadly, while this mineral was seemingly indestructible, medical evidence soon painted the picture that this indestructible mineral was destructive to the human body. 

An Industry Risk, at the Expense of Workers

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and asbestos is no different. The trade-off for using a durable mineral meant that those exposed to asbestos ran the risk of severe illnesses and diseases. The catch is, that the asbestos industry was well aware of the medical dangers of asbestos exposure, due to the medical research that began documenting the risk, back in the early 20th century. However, this information was suppressed and ignored by the industry, at the expense of workers and sus familias. 

As early as the 1930s, the Asbestos Industry Covered Up Scientific Research Linking Asbestos to Cancerous Tumors.

While information was limited and/or suppressed in the early days of research, we now have a substantial list of illnesses that are directly or secondarily linked to asbestos exposure. Some of these include:

• Mesotelioma

Un terminal cancer, almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Studies show that one out of ten people who worked with asbestos will likely develop mesothelioma.

• Lung, Ovarian, and Esophageal Cancers

Besides mesothelioma, asbestos can contribute to the development of these cancers. 

• La Asbestosis

A non-malignant yet chronic lung disease with no current cure. 

• Placas pleurales 

A disease characterized by the thickening of lung tissue, often accompanied by other respiratory problems.

Exposure: How to Tell and What to Do

What makes these diseases especially complicated is that symptoms may not begin until multiple decades after asbestos exposure. In some cases, symptoms can take more than four decades to appear. Prior to experiencing symptoms, many people are entirely unaware that they have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure happens by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers, but the fact that asbestos has no smell or taste contributes to the silent danger of exposure.

B-Readers for Asbestos 

But what should someone do if they begin to experience symptoms related to asbestos exposure? Before moving into treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, electric current therapy, or other options, it must be determined that someone has in fact been exposed to asbestos.  

While the full scope of how asbestos fibers react to the body’s organs can only be seen with an autopsy (since fibers are microscopic), the use of X-rays can indicate important indicators of asbestos scarring. However, being able to identify this requires a specialist in the field of radiology. These specialists are known as B-Readers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), B-Readers are specialized Radiologists who are certified under the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Reader training. B-Readers will examine chest X-rays for the purpose of identifying mineral exposures such as coal mine dust, crystalline silica, and asbestos.

In simple terms, B-Readers represent a standardized way to read and analyze chest X-rays to determine if there is evidence of an occupational disease. However, it is important to note that occupational is not limited to those who have personally worked in an asbestos environment. 

B-Readers Can Diagnose Second-hand asbestos exposure

Sadly, many people who suffer from asbestos exposure are those who have been exposed secondarily, due to a parent or spouse bringing contaminated clothing or tools with asbestos fibers into the home. In fact, a recent, major CDC cross-study of two decades of data found that asbestos diseases are under-reported in women, with at least 20% of those in the case study being housewives who never set foot in an occupational asbestos environment.

What Are the Next Steps?

If you or someone you love has tested positive for asbestos scarring in the body, you may wonder what’s next. Time is of the essence when it comes to aggressive diseases and illnesses related to asbestos exposure. It is important to receive treatment to help provide the best quality of life possible, but unfortunately, asbestos treatment is very costly. Many people who receive their diagnosis with surprise and even shock can feel emotionally paralyzed, asking questions like:

• How was I ever exposed to asbestos?
• How am I going to afford the cost of treatment?
• How can I leave a legacy for my children?

These are sobering and even tragic questions, but it’s important to know that the last thing victims should have to worry about is the financial aspect of asbestos treatment. 

Compensation is Available

Whether you have been exposed to asbestos from a previous job or if you have been exposed secondhand, there are compensation options available for you. Those who have been exposed to asbestos may file a lawsuit against the company responsible for exposing them to asbestos without sufficiently warning them of the risks of exposure. However, this can be a very time-consuming process that requires adequate evidence, expert witness testimony, and more. Those who are suffering from aggressive illnesses or cancers may not have the luxury of enduring a lawsuit process.

The Easiest and Fastest Route to Asbestos Claim Compensation is Usually Asbestos Trusts.

Thankfully, there is another option available both for those who were exposed as workers as well as those who were exposed to asbestos secondarily. This option is known as filing an asbestos trust claim. 

Asbestos trusts exist as a way to provide financial compensation for those who need it, without the need to file a lawsuit or appear in court whatsoever. Because of this, asbestos trusts are both faster and easier ways to receive compensation. Those who seek to file a claim will not need to acquire witness testimony, but in order to qualify, there is still the need to provide evidence such as a B-Readers assessment of an X-ray, discussed earlier. 

Whether you are suspicious of exposure or you have already been diagnosed with a disease, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Reach out to the experts at AsbestosClaims.law today. We’ll help you each step of the way, risk-free.