Asbestos exposure still remains a serious health issue in the workplace today. While many people assume it’s a problem of the past, in reality, they fail to realize they’re coming into contact with asbestos at all. Consequently, they do not understand the dangers to their health.
Over time, this kind of exposure can cause severe breathing problems and, in some cases, lead to life-threatening illnesses. Awareness is often the first step in prevention, and without it, the risks can quietly build up over the years. This article takes a closer look at the health risks asbestos poses to industrial workers.
1. Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is one of those diseases that doesn’t get diagnosed on time, as it has a long latency period, sometimes up to 40 years. It’s also commonly mistaken for just another form of lung cancer, but mesothelioma isn’t limited to the lungs. It can develop in different parts of the body.
Support and information platforms like Mesothelioma Hope also focus on understanding the different types when helping patients and families navigate the diagnosis. These different forms are:
- Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, accounting for roughly 80% to 90% of cases. It affects the lining around the lungs and often starts with symptoms like ongoing chest pain, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. In more serious cases, people may cough up blood, run fevers, or experience night sweats.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen. This type is more likely to cause stomach-related issues, such as abdominal pain or swelling, unexplained weight loss, and, in some cases, problems with blood clotting.
- Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare and affects the lining surrounding the heart. When it does occur, symptoms may include chest pain and irregular heart rhythms, which are often mistaken for other heart conditions.
- Testicular mesothelioma is another rare form and impacts the lining around the testicles. It may show up as pain, swelling, or a noticeable lump in the area.
2. Lung cancer
Mesothelioma and lung cancer can both be a result of inhaling asbestos, but mesothelioma almost always starts in the organ linings and grows slowly, while lung cancer forms inside the lung tissue and can spread faster.
Lung cancer remains one of the most serious health risks linked to asbestos exposure at work. When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they can get trapped deep in the lungs, and this irritation damages the cells over time and, in some cases, it causes cancerous tumours.
Industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing are the places where this risk shows up the most. Studies have found that workers exposed to asbestos are several times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who weren’t. The risk jumps even higher for smokers, because asbestos and smoking together put extra strain on the lungs.
3. Asbestosis
When you inhale asbestos fibers, they scar your lung tissues, making them stiff and thick. They end up losing their ability to function. It tends to get worse over time, making it hard for you to breathe and causing a stubborn cough that is hard to get rid of. It also raises your chances of getting lung infections or pneumonia. Additionally, asbestos exposure is related to several other cancers, including those in the lymph nodes, pharynx, stomach, ovaries, and even the colon and rectum.
Endnote
Being exposed to asbestos for a long time can quietly damage your health. Understanding these illnesses and how they’re formed is essential for industrial workers, as it will help them get their issues diagnosed on time and keep their health in check.