"Asbestos" is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven into cloth, blended into joint compound, and incorporated into insulation. The fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. Asbestos was widely used in many industries including but not limited to the construction, shipbuilding and automotive industries. More than 5,000 products and materials contained asbestos.
| QUESTION: |  |
What are the health hazards associated with asbestos? |
| ANSWER: | |
Asbestos causes the following diseases.
1) Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease which causes shortness of breath and permanent lung damage. 2) Lung Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. 3) Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the lining of the chest (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). |
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| QUESTION: | |
What should people do who have been exposed to asbestos? |
| ANSWER: | |
Stop smoking, get regular health checkups including chest x-rays, seek prompt medical attention if symptoms of respiratory illness are noticed, and if still working around asbestos use protective equipment and safe work practices.
Smoking and asbestos exposure have been shown to be particularly hazardous according to several studies. Cigarette smokers on average are ten times more likely to develop lung cancer as non-smokers. There is evidence that quitting smoking will reduce the risk of lung cancer among those exposed to asbestos. |
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| QUESTION: | |
Who needs to be examined? |
| ANSWER: | |
Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos should contact a physician regarding their asbestos exposure. A physical examination, including chest x-rays and a pulmonary function test, may be performed to determine the presence of asbestos-related disease. |
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| QUESTION: | |
What are the treatments for asbestos-related diseases? |
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Great strides have been made regarding the treatment and cure of lung cancer. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma or asbestosis. Medical research continues regarding these two diseases, and we can only hope that a cure is found soon. In the meantime, efforts are made to prolong and improve the quality of life for all of those afflicted with an asbestos-related disease. The standard treatments are listed below.
1) Surgery |
