Asbestos Related Diseases
Posted by Dr Gonesh Karmakar on Oct 2, 2014 in Information | 0 comments Asbestos related diseases Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in Australia in the 20th Century for many industrial and domestic applications. Inhalation of asbestos fibres has been shown to lead to a number of serious health risks, including asbestosis and the cancer mesothelioma. As these can take a number of decades to develop, it is likely that the effects on the Australian community of exposure to asbestos will continue to increase into the 21st Century. What is asbestos? Asbestos is a group of naturally-occurring silicate minerals that are made up of fine, fibrous crystals. Three of these are crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown or grey asbestos) and chrysotile (white asbestos). Asbestos fibres have many useful qualities: they are strong and flexible, resistant to fire and chemical attack, and have good insulating properties. They can even be spun and woven into cloth. Asbestos is also relatively cheap to mine and process. Historically, asbestos was seen as a desirable raw material in a range of products such as insulation, construction materials, concrete, an additive in paints and sealants, vehicle brake pads and clutches, and even outdoor furniture. Unfortunately, asbestos is also a highly toxic, insidious and environmentally persistent material that has killed thousands of Australians, and will kill thousands more this century. [1] [2] [3] [4] Why is asbestos a health risk? Asbestos becomes a hazard when microscopic fibre fragments become airborne and are inhaled. Due to their size and shape they can remain airborne for some time, and enter even the smallest air passages in the lungs where they embed in lung tissue. The fibres are highly resistant to removal by the lungs’ natural cleaning processes. [5] Asbestos related diseases Embedded asbestos fibres irritate the lung tissue around them, causing a number of diseases: Pleural disease Inflammation and irritation of the outer lining of the lung, the pleura. The pleura stiffens and thickens widely (diffuse thickening) or in patches (plaques), and can fill with fluid. This thickening can restrict breathing. Asbestosis This is scarring of the lungs: the airways become so inflamed and scarred that oxygen is no longer able to pass from the lungs into the blood. The lungs become stiff and inelastic, making breathing progressively difficult. Symptoms include tightness in the chest, dry cough, and in the later stages, a bluish tinge to the skin caused by lack of oxygen. Asbestosis is usually seen in former asbestos miners, asbestos manufacturing workers...read more