Patient education: Asbestos exposure (The Basics)

What is asbestos? — 

This is a group of fire-resistant minerals ("fibrous silicates") that are shaped like long, thin fibers.

For many years, asbestos was commonly used in insulation, car brakes, ships, ceiling tiles, fabrics, fireproofing, and many other materials. But in the 1970s, scientists learned that being around asbestos (called "asbestos exposure") can cause serious health problems. Since then, people have mostly stopped using it.

How do people get exposed to asbestos? — 

People usually get exposed to asbestos because of the type of work they do. Asbestos was used in many types of construction materials. People who worked with these materials in the past might have been exposed. This includes plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, insulation workers, construction workers, roofers, welders, and many others.

Even though asbestos is no longer used in construction, demolition workers can still get exposed when they knock down old buildings.

If someone who works with asbestos bring their work clothes home, other people in the home can get exposed. Also, people are exposed to low levels of asbestos in nature.

What health problems does asbestos exposure cause? — 

Asbestos fibers are very small. When these fibers get loose in the air, people can breathe them into their lungs, where they get trapped (figure 1). The trapped asbestos fibers can cause problems, such as:

●Asbestosis – This is scarring of the lungs, which makes it hard to breathe.

●Cancer – This includes lung cancer and "mesothelioma," which is a rare cancer that happens in the lining around the lungs or in the belly.

●Pleural problems – These are problems in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs, called the "pleura." Asbestos can cause a buildup of fluid in the pleura or scarring. Usually, scarring in the pleura does not cause symptoms.

People usually need to be exposed to asbestos at high levels or for a long time for it to cause illness. Many people who are exposed never get sick, especially if they don't smoke.

What are the symptoms of asbestos exposure? — 

Many people have no symptoms for up to 15 to 30 years after exposure.

The first symptom is usually shortness of breath, called "dyspnea." At first, the trouble breathing only happens when you are active and goes away when you rest. But as time goes on, it lasts longer, and it gets hard to breathe even during rest.

Other symptoms can include chest pain, cough, and coughing up blood.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — 

Yes. If you have shortness of breath or cough up blood, see your doctor or nurse. Tell them if you worked a job that might have exposed you to asbestos.

If you have severe shortness of breath with chest pain or nausea, or if you cough up blood, go to the emergency department. These symptoms could mean your condition is serious.

Will I need tests? — 

Yes. First, your doctor or nurse will ask you questions about the types of work you have done. It is important to find out how long you were around asbestos and how much you were exposed to it. The doctor will also order tests to find out what health problems you might have because of asbestos.

Tests might include:

●Chest X-ray – This can show if your lungs are inflating all the way or if there is scarring or an abnormal growth on your lung. It can also show if there is fluid or calcium between your lungs and your ribcage.

●CT scan – This is like an X-ray but creates more detailed pictures.

●Breathing tests – These measure how well your lungs are working. You take a deep breath and then blow out as fast and hard as you can into a tube. A machine connected to the tube measures how much air you can blow out of your lungs and how fast.

●Thoracentesis – The doctor uses a needle to take some fluid from around your lungs. Then, they test the fluid.

How is asbestos exposure treated? — 

Treatment depends on what health problems you have from the asbestos:

●Asbestosis – There is no specific treatment. Pulmonary rehabilitation ("rehab") can help. In pulmonary rehab, you learn exercises and ways to breathe that can help ease symptoms. Some people with severe asbestosis need oxygen.

●Cancer – People with lung cancer or mesothelioma might have surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

●Pleural problems – Treatment depends on the type of pleural problem. For example, if you have fluid around your lungs, your doctor might put in a tube to drain the fluid. If you have inflammation of the pleura but no cancer, you might be treated with an NSAID medicine such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). Some people do not need treatment, especially if they have no symptoms and the problem is not serious.

Your doctor will help you decide the best treatment for your health problem.

What can I do on my own? — 

The most important thing you can do is to quit smoking, if you smoke. It does not matter how long you have smoked or how much you smoke. Smoking makes the problems caused by asbestos exposure get much worse. Quitting can slow the disease and help you feel better. Your doctor or nurse can help you.

It is also important to prevent getting any more asbestos exposure. This might mean wearing a mask and special clothing at work, or maybe even changing jobs. Talk to your doctor to see if your current job might be a source of asbestos.

Get the flu shot every fall, the pneumonia vaccine at least once, and the COVID-19 vaccine. These infections can be very hard on your lungs. It's important to try to prevent them.

A cold or the flu can make it harder to breathe. If your shortness of breath or cough gets worse, call your doctor right away.

More on this topic

Patient education: Shortness of breath (The Basics)
Patient education: Pleuritic chest pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Lung cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Pleural mesothelioma (The Basics)
Patient education: Pleural effusion (The Basics)
Patient education: Breathing tests (The Basics)
Patient education: Thoracentesis (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking for adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Lung cancer risks, symptoms, and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Thoracentesis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking (Beyond the Basics)