Asbestos Exposure & Cancer

Major health and environmental organizations, including the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have all determined that asbestos is a human carcinogen (cancer causing substance). Breathing asbestos or exposure to asbestos may increase a risk of cancer. Concern has grown over time as to the health effects of asbestos exposure resulting in the EPA banning new uses of asbestos. The effects of exposure to asbestos can take many years before they manifest themselves.

Exposure to asbestos may result in two common types of cancer:

1. Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma or “Meso” for short is a cancer that attacks the pleural lining, a thin lining around the lung or the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity in the body. Mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer manifested from asbestos exposure.
2. Lung Cancer. Normal lung tissue is made up of cells that are programmed by nature to create lungs of a certain shape and function. When cell reproduction fails to follow the cellular instructions or blueprints for reproduction, the lung cells and their prodigy reproduce uncontrollably resulting in cellular growth that can form tumors which interfere with lung function. Exposure to asbestos can cause this type of uncontrolled cell reproduction.

Asbestosis

Asbestos exposure may also increase the likelihood that a person will develop Asbestosis. Asbestosis is an inflammatory lung condition that may cause coughing, shortness of breath, and permanent lung injury.

Other Nonmalignant and Pleural Disorders

Exposure to asbestos may also result in changes in the membranes encasing the lungs, known as pleural plaques and pleural thickening. Abnormal collections of fluid between the layers of tissue lining the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity may also occur; these are known as benign pleural effusions. There have been claims that persons with pleural disease have an increased risk of lung cancer.

Am I at Risk for an Asbestos Related Disease?

Low levels of asbestos exist in our environment, meaning that almost everyone is exposed to asbestos during his or her lifetime. Most people who are exposed to these low levels do not become ill as a result of their exposure. The people who do develop asbestos related diseases are usually exposed to asbestos directly and on a regular basis, often through their employment or “second hand” through exposure to clothes or materials that are contaminated with asbestos.

Since the 1940’s millions of U. S. workers have been exposed to asbestos through their employment and manufactured goods. Many trades and occupations can be identified as sources of exposure; they include: ship yards and ship building trades; naval service; asbestos mining and milling; manufacturing and installation of roofing and insulation materials; building trades; construction and demolition workers; mill workers; automobile workers; fire fighters and first responders; electrical workers; and power plant workers, to name a few.