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Who is most exposed to asbestos?
What is the risk of asbestosis?
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People can also be exposed at home, both to old sources of asbestos as a result of activities such as home renovation or to new sources of asbestos as a result of certain types of recreational activities and hobbies such as auto repairs and, in areas of naturally occurring asbestos in local soils, gardening. Top of Page.
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Clubbing of fingers
Clubbing of the fingers, in which the fingertips spread out and become rounder than usual, is often linked to heart or lung conditions. Asbestosis signs and symptoms may include:
If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and you're experiencing increasing shortness of breath, talk to your health care provider about the possibility of asbestosis.
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If you are exposed to high levels of asbestos dust over a long period of time, some of the airborne fibers can become lodged within your alveoli — the tiny sacs inside your lungs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in your blood. The asbestos fibers irritate and scar lung tissue, causing the lungs to become stiff. This makes it difficult to breathe.
As asbestosis progresses, more and more lung tissue becomes scarred. Eventually, your lung tissue becomes so stiff that it can't contract and expand normally.
People who worked in mining, milling, manufacturing, and installation or removal of asbestos products before the late 1970s are at highest risk of asbestosis. Examples include:
•Asbestos miners
•Aircraft and auto mechanics
•Boiler operators
•Building construction workers
•Electricians
If you have asbestosis, you're at increased risk of developing lung cancer — especially if you smoke or have a history of smoking. Rarely, malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissue around the lung, can occur many years after exposure to asbestos.
Reducing exposure to asbestos is the best prevention against asbestosis. In the United States, federal law requires employers in industries that work with asbestos products — such as construction — to take special safety measures.
Many homes, schools and other buildings built before the 1970s have materials such as pipes and floor tiles that contain asbestos. Generally, there's no risk of exposure as long as the asbestos is enclosed and undisturbed. It's when materials containing asbestos are damaged that there's a danger of asbestos fibers being released into the air and inhaled. Always have asbestos products inspected and repaired or removed by trained and accredited asbestos professionals.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
Feb 11, 2022
1.AskMayoExpert. Asbestos-related pulmonary disease (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2020.
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Mar 12, 2024 · Asbestosis is a type of lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibers. The disease causes fibrosis (scarring) of your lungs which makes it hard to breathe. There’s no cure for asbestosis, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms.
Nov 17, 2022 · What Are the Symptoms of Asbestosis? The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos typically don't show up for 10 to 40 years after initial exposure. The most common symptoms are: Shortness of breath; Persistent dry cough; Chest tightness or chest pain; Weight loss from loss of appetite; A dry, crackling sound in the lungs while breathing in
Jul 4, 2023 · Asbestosis onset occurs ≥10 years following the initial exposure to asbestos. Patients may be asymptomatic or have progressive shortness of breath. A chest radiograph is the preferred initial test. There is no definitive treatment. Cigarette smoking cessation is important to reduce risk of lung c...
Dec 16, 2022 · Prognosis. Asbestosis is a severe condition that affects the lungs when tiny fibers from asbestos materials are inhaled and become stuck in tissue there. When lodged in the lungs, asbestos causes scar tissue and thickening of connective tissue, making breathing difficult.
Feb 11, 2022 · Chest X-ray. Advanced asbestosis appears as excessive whiteness in your lung tissue. If the asbestosis is severe, the tissue in both lungs might be affected, giving them a honeycomb appearance.
