Exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestos injury that can be extremely serious and, since they can go undetected for a long period of time, they can develop into illnesses that may even result in an untimely death. There are a number of different occupations may be at a greater risk for exposure then others. Some of these include mining, construction, railroad and the shipyard industry.
These types of jobs do not only pose a health hazard to the employees, but to their families as well. When these employees are exposed to the asbestos, they can carry the particles and fibers home on their person, attached to their clothing, their shoes, and even to their hair. This can result in extreme health problems to family members because, since they do not know they have been exposed to any asbestos, a proper diagnosis of their health problems can take even longer to be realized.
One of the potentially deadly illnesses caused by asbestos includes asbestosis. This is a noncancerous illness that might lead to severe disability and eventually death. The one physical symptom of asbestosis is scarring in the lobes in the lower portion of the lungs. The reason that the scars develop is that asbestos fibers are inhaled for a period of time. This is one disease that can go undetected for a long period of time. It has been called the silent killer because it can go undiagnosed for so long, often until it is too late.
Another illness caused by exposure is mesothelioma. This is another illness that normally goes undetected. Once it is diagnosed, the victim usually only has a year, or less, to live. Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the thin membrane, also known as the mesothelium, which lines the walls of your organs such as your heart and lungs. Even if there is known asbestos exposure, mesothelioma can remain dormant for several years before it is diagnosed, making it one of the most deadly asbestos illnesses.
Asbestos exposure can also cause other cancers. Pancreatic cancer, colon, lung, larynx, kidney and esophagus cancers can all be caused by asbestos. If you have been exposed, there is at a seven times greater chance of you being diagnosed with lung cancer in your lifetime than if you had not been exposed. If you are a cigarette smoker, your chances are even greater than someone that has smoked cigarettes and has not been exposed.
Stricter asbestos laws can prevent all of the asbestos injury that has been discussed. Some of these could include placing tougher limits on the amount of exposure that is legal for employees in jobs that are considered to be of higher risk.
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