What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?

Asbestos materials can break down into small, fiberous dust as they age. In fact, an average human hair is approximately 1200 times thicker than an asbestos fiber9. Since it was used widely in many applications, asbestos fibers can be found almost anywhere in the air5. Due to its tiny size and shape, asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for a long period of time and can easily penetrate deep into the lungs after being inhaled or breathed9 (Figure 3). Asbestos fibers, which can stay in the body for many years, have been linked to numerous health issues, including lung diseases and cancer5,9. In industry, exposure to asbestos-containing material (ACM) is considered to be hazardous and can result in various occupationally related diseases6,7. According to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation2, the list of cancer causing asbestos minerals is incomplete and still growing. Therefore, although many known asbestos fibers have been banned today, the continuing issue of exposure ...  more

Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.  more

People exposed to asbestos may suffer from several diseases. Asbestos fibers can cause a type of permanent lung damage known as asbestosis. People who have asbestosis often have shortness of breath and increased risk of serious lung infections. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer, and a rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the lungs and abdomen. It can also cause other abnormalities in the lining of the lung, called pleural plaques or pleural thickening. In some cases, these pleural changes may get worse and cause breathing difficulties. Published reports have shown that even a relatively short-term exposure to Libby asbestos from the processing of vermiculite ore can result in asbestos disease many years later. Should family members of former Western Minerals' workers be concerned? Studies show that health problems from asbestos exposure can occur in both workers and their families. We now know that many family members of workers were exposed to ...  more

Scientists around the world have demonstrated the links between exposure to asbestos and four serious diseases: lung cancer, mesothelioma, digestive system cancer, and asbestosis. LUNG CANCER: Asbestos-exposed people are about 5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-exposed people. Asbestos and cigarettes are a particularly deadly combination. If a person exposed to asbestos also smokes, his or her chance of getting lung cancer increases dramatically to 50 times that of a non-smoking, non-asbestos exposed person. If you have been exposed to asbestos, the first thing you should do to decrease your risk of getting lung cancer is stop smoking. MESOTHELIOMA: Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or of the abdominal cavity. This is a very rare cancer that is almost always associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has become a major public health concern because this disease can occur after very brief or very low exposures to asbestos. Cases of mesothelioma ...  more

Exposure to asbestos does not necessarily mean that a person will become ill as a result of the exposure. Breathing in asbestos fibers that can be released from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite may increase a person's likelihood of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the outer lining of the lungs and/or abdominal cavity), lung abnormalities and breathing disorders. Repeated and prolonged exposure to high levels of asbestos increases the chances of developing these diseases. What should I do if I have been exposed to asbestos? People who have been exposed to asbestos can limit their chances of future illness if they try to prevent further exposure to asbestos and they do not smoke. The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood of more serious health problems, such as lung cancer. What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral (minerals are the 'building blocks' of rocks) composed of shiny flakes that resemble mica. ...  more

There are three exposure routes for asbestos fibers: (1) inhalation via the respiratory system (2) ingestion via the mouth associated with asbestos fibers in drinking water and (3) skin contact. Asbestos has been known to cause a number of disabling and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and pleural plaques. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos; therefore, all exposure to asbestos should be avoided.  more

Asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. If asbestos fibers are inhaled, these tiny microscopic fibers can cause normal functions of the lungs to be disturbed. Exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestosis, which is a scaring of the lungs that leads to breathing problems. It could take anywhere from 15 to 30 years after the first exposure for symptoms to occur. Medical investigations have shown that inhalation is the principal route of entry that leads to asbestos-related diseases. There is no known safe exposure level to asbestos. The greater the exposure, the greater the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos Products Ban and Phase Out On July 12, 1989, EPA issued a final rule banning some, but not all, asbestos-containing products. For additional documents that provide more detail on the status of EPA's ban on asbestos-containing products, please visit the EPA website . Regulations Governing Asbestos Pursuant to the ...  more

This page is intended to provide the public with general information concerning asbestos and where and how to get more information.  more

If you are exposed to a substance such as asbestos, many factors will determine whether harmful health effects will occur and what the type and severity of those health effects will be. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), how often, the route or pathway from which you are exposed (breathing, eating, drinking, or skin contact), your individual characteristics such as age, gender, nutritional status, family traits, life-style, and state of health, and other chemicals to which you are exposed, such as cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoking works synergistically with asbestos exposure to greatly increase your chance of getting lung cancer. The greater the total exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance you will become ill. Some experts believe that there is no definite safe exposure level for asbestos. The best way to protect yourself is to limit your exposure as much as possible. The size and shape of the asbestos fibre appear to play a major role in the ...  more