Development of asbestos-related disease that cause this restriction, as well as other symptoms, has a latency period of anywhere between 10 and 50 years. Symptoms usually only present themselves 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos, once the disease has already started to develop.
It may take five to 20 years before symptoms develop. The accumulated, inhaled asbestos fibres produce scarring (fibrosis) of the lung. The lung develops a 'honeycomb' appearance. The scar tissue, or 'fibrosis', is hard and inflexible – this makes the lungs stiffen and stops them working properly.
Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don't appear until many years after initial exposure.
If you breathe asbestos fibers, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.
The level of exposure required to develop each of these diseases varies but there is no known safe exposure level of asbestos, particularly for mesothelioma. However, the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease with exposure levels the public may experience on a daily basis is extremely low.
One-time exposure to asbestos can cause diseases, including mesothelioma cancer. Researchers have found repeated exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing asbestos-related cancers. The risk to individuals who have a one-time exposure to asbestos is generally lower compared to long-term or repeated exposure.
One of the most worrying issues with asbestos is that in the event that it does get disturbed, it can be easily released into the air, and remain there for some time. It is thought that disturbed asbestos can stay airborne for as long as 48 to 72 hours before settling.
See a GP if:
you have symptoms of asbestosis and think you've been exposed to asbestos.
No amount of asbestos exposure is safe. People must avoid inhaling the toxic dust. Most asbestos-related diseases arise only after many years of regular exposure. An extremely intense short-term exposure also heightens the risk of disease later in life.
If you think there may be asbestos in your home, don't panic. Asbestos-containing materials that aren't damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition.
Your work history, job site records and witness statements come next. Documentation may include your doctor's statement. It must link your asbestos exposure to your diagnosis and should include blood tests and imaging scans.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
However, the EPA does not recommend testing asbestos yourself because it could expose you to its toxic airborne particles.
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.1 fiber/cc (fiber per cubic centimeter) averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 1 fiber/cc, not to be exceeded during any 30-minute work period.
There is no treatment that can reverse the damage done by asbestos, but certain steps can help slow down progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. Avoiding further exposure to asbestos and other irritants such as cigarette smoke will help slow down the disease from progressing.
Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear (2).
Asbestos is no longer added to popcorn ceilings because it's a known health risk. The chances of your ceiling containing asbestos are low for any installations in the late 1980s or after. Newly constructed ceilings don't use asbestos.
Anyone who has been suffering from asbestosis within the last three years can make a claim for asbestosis compensation. This is because there is a time limit of three years in which you are able to start a claim.
Is one-time asbestos exposure dangerous? There is minimal risk in being exposed to asbestos one time. In fact, most people have been exposed to asbestos at some time in their lives.
No known method exists to remove asbestos fibers from the lungs once they are inhaled. Some types of asbestos are cleared naturally by the lungs or break down in the lungs.
Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are usually fatal. These asbestos-related diseases do not appear immediately, but may develop 20 to 50 years after exposure.
N95 masks do NOT protect you against chemical vapors, gases, carbon monoxide, gasoline, asbestos, lead or low oxygen environments.