What Are the Signs of Asbestos Exposure?

If you’ve seen any stories in the media about the dangers of asbestos, you may have wondered, “Could that have happened to me?” If you’ve been sick and you’re worried it could be something worse than what you think, more information can put your mind at peace. Here’s what you need to know about the early signs of asbestos exposure.

Symptoms

Identifying health concerns related to asbestos exposure is not easy. It often takes decades for early signs of asbestos exposure to manifest—and calling that “early” is a bit of a stretch. Pay attention to any problems related to your lungs, including:

• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness

The first definitive symptom of exposure to asbestos is the development of pleural plaques—deposits of hyalinized collagen fibers—in the lungs. They typically don’t appear until 20 years after the exposure.

Other Diseases

A full-blown disease may develop before any other signs of asbestos exposure do. Inhalation is associated with the lungs, but asbestos can also cause diseases of the throat, stomach, and colon. Several cancers are directly linked to asbestos, including:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Ovarian cancer

People Who Are More at Risk

Historically, many of the people that asbestos affected most were consistently exposed to it as part of their jobs. These occupations included the workers sourcing asbestos itself or a mineral contaminated by asbestos, such as vermiculite. But any time building materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, it can endanger people nearby. A few of the people most at risk of exposure include:

• Miners
• Demolition workers
• Drywall removers
• Firefighters
• Automobile manufacturers

Exposure Circumstances Vary

A small level of asbestos has a cumulative effect on people exposed to it through the years. But one large dose of asbestos fibers can be just as devastating. For instance, rescue workers on 9/11 inhaled asbestos that had been used to insulate the Twin Towers. Many are now battling respiratory diseases and cancer.

Asbestos can be lurking anywhere. The early signs of exposure take decades to develop, but you can do something about your surroundings now. If you suspect the presence of harmful materials where you live or work, contact an abatement specialist to test the area. If you need asbestos removal in Boston, Air Safe, Inc. has the training and experience to do the job right. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation.