Asbestos and your health

Asbestos exposure has been linked to serious diseases, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Each year, many people die from asbestos-related disease. The material was widely used before the dangers to health were well understood, and in many places it is now illegal to use it in new products.

What asbestos is#

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is strong and heat resistant, which is why it was once used in a wide range of products, including:

• roofing, cement sheets and pipes
• clutch and brake linings
• insulation and building materials
• boilers, electrical fittings and gaskets
• floor tiles, plastics and textiles

Exposure to airborne asbestos particles is the greatest risk to health. When asbestos fibers become airborne, people working with the material may inhale them. These particles can remain in the lungs and, over time, cause disease.

A person’s chance of developing asbestos-related disease depends on how much asbestos they were exposed to and for how long.

Who is at risk#

The use of asbestos was probably at its highest in the mid to late 1970s, but some cement products such as flues and water pipes were still being installed into the 1990s, and its use in brake linings, pads and clutch plates has only recently been phased out.

People who worked in the following industries before stringent controls were in place were at greatest risk:

• mining, milling or manufacture of asbestos
• construction and building
• power generation
• shipbuilding

Families of asbestos workers may also have been exposed to fibers brought home on clothing. Workers in the building trades, such as plumbers, carpenters and electricians, can still be exposed today, especially those who are self-employed. People who work on asbestos-containing materials in a way that releases fibers into the air, for example when using power tools, are particularly at risk.

When asbestos is not disturbed and the fibers remain contained, it does not pose a risk to people using the building.

Removal, transport and disposal#

In many places, asbestos and products containing it have been banned. Where a ban applies, such products generally cannot be imported, stored, supplied, sold, installed, used or re-used. A ban does not usually extend to asbestos-containing products already in place, such as vinyl floor tiles and asbestos cement roofing or sheeting. These can be left in place until they need to be replaced.

Occupational health and safety rules in many regions specify that only licensed removalists may remove large amounts of fixed or installed asbestos-containing material, and that waste must be handled, transported and disposed of safely. Check the requirements that apply in your area before any work begins.

Asbestos in the home#

Asbestos products are still commonly found in homes built or renovated before the 1990s. They are harmful only if the fibers are released into the air and breathed in.

If building materials such as asbestos cement sheeting are in good condition, the fibers are tightly bound and very few escape, so these materials are very unlikely to cause health problems. Even when walls or a roof are not in good condition, the number of fibers released is very small.

Fibers are most likely to be released if the material is disturbed, for example during renovations that involve drilling, cutting, sawing or breaking it. If you plan this kind of work, seek advice on doing it safely or use a licensed removalist.

Asbestos and fires#

During a fire, the amount of asbestos fibers released into the air is relatively low, and air monitoring after fires has confirmed this. However, clumps and some fibers may remain in the ash and can present a risk if disturbed during clean-up. Dust should be wetted down, and protective equipment such as a dust mask, gloves and coveralls should be worn. If asbestos-containing materials have burnt on your property, arrange for a licensed removalist to carry out the clean-up.

Diseases linked to asbestos#

The body removes most fibers that are breathed in, but some can become trapped in the lungs and cause disease many years later.

Asbestosis#

Asbestosis is not cancer. It is a chronic, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers over a long period. It may take 5 to 20 years before symptoms develop.

The accumulated fibers produce scarring (fibrosis) of the lung, which can take on a ‘honeycomb’ appearance. The scar tissue is hard and inflexible, which makes the lungs stiffen and stops them working properly. Asbestosis causes breathlessness, tightness in the chest and persistent coughing, and the skin may take on a bluish tinge from lack of oxygen. Getting enough oxygen from each breath takes much greater effort.

Asbestosis usually worsens over time and can lead to respiratory failure and death. There is no cure. It can be diagnosed using a chest x-ray (where fibrosis looks cloudy) or a lung function test.

Lung cancer#

Asbestos can cause lung cancer, often many years after exposure. Most people who have been exposed to small amounts do not develop lung cancer. If you are worried about your risk, talk to your doctor.

Pleural disorders#

The pleura is the tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the surface of the lungs. Asbestos may produce thickened patches (pleural plaques) or a widespread fibrosis of the pleura, along with pleural effusions (fluid in the chest cavity). These conditions show up on chest x-rays but are not cancerous. They may not cause symptoms but can reduce lung capacity, as shown in lung function tests.

Mesothelioma#

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is mainly caused by asbestos. It takes many years to develop, around 20 to 40 years, so it can appear even if you have not been exposed for a long time. It often affects the lungs, but it is not the same as lung cancer. Less commonly, it can affect the abdomen.

Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not develop mesothelioma. If you are worried about your risk, speak to your doctor.

Your feelings about asbestos#

Many people feel shocked and overwhelmed when thinking about asbestos and their health. It is important to talk to others for support and advice. You might want to speak to:

• your doctor
• a trusted friend or family member
• a counselor or psychologist
• an experienced lawyer
• a support group or organization

For enquiries about removing or disposing of asbestos in your neighborhood, contact your local council or relevant authority.

Key points#

• This material was in common use before the dangers to health were widely known.
• Exposure to airborne asbestos particles is the greatest risk to health.
• These particles remain in the lungs and, over time, can cause disease.
• People who worked in industries such as mining, manufacture, construction, power and shipbuilding were at greatest risk.
• When asbestos is not disturbed and the fibers remain contained, it does not pose a risk for people using the building.

Where to get help#