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Public Employee
Press
Safety Spotlight
Asbestos diseases
What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a disease caused by asbestos mineral fibers in the lungs.
The fibers are small and not visible in the air. When asbestos is breathed
into the lungs, tissues become swollen and scarred. Asbestos disease is
more common among workers exposed to higher concentrations of asbestos
in the air or exposed for more years.
What jobs are at risk?
Asbestos mining and milling. Manufacturing and installing insulation and
friction materials for brakes and clutches. Manufac-turing and using asbestos
cement, textiles and spray-products for fireproofing, soundproofing and
decoration. Demolition by asbestos removers, electricians, carpenters
and plumbers. Workers contaminated clothes may also expose their
families.
What happens in asbestosis?
Symptoms occur 10 to 20 years after exposure and include cough and increasing
difficulty breathing. Lung scarring cuts the amount of air the lungs can
take in, reducing the amount of oxygen in the blood.
What other diseases are related to asbestos exposure?
Cancer of the lungs, colon or kidneys and mesothelioma, cancer of the
lining of the lungs or the abdomen. Asbestos-related cancer occurs from
10 to even 40 years after exposure, even if the worker is no longer in
contact with asbestos. Asbestos workers who smoke have a much greater
risk of lung cancer.
Is there a treatment?
Early detection is very important. Medical examination should include
occupational and medical history, a physical exam, breathing tests, chest
X-ray and analysis of the stool for hidden blood. Quitting smoking is
strongly recommended. Respiratory tract infections are treated with antibiotics
and prevented with vaccination (flu, pneumonia). Lung cancer and mesothelioma
are treated on an individual basis. Workers who develop asbestos-related
disease may get Workers Compensation.
Where can I get help?
Occupational medicine doctors are specially trained in recognizing and
treating asbestos disease. Call the Mount Sinai-I.J. Selikoff Center for
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Manhattan (212-241-9059), Queens
(718-278-2736) and Yonkers (914-964-4737).
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