Asbestosis
Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Complications may include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease.
| Asbestosis | |
|---|---|
| A plaque caused by asbestos exposure on the diaphragmatic pleura | |
| Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Symptoms | Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest pain |
| Complications | Lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural fibrosis, pulmonary heart disease |
| Usual onset | ~10-40 years after long-term exposure |
| Causes | Asbestos |
| Diagnostic method | History of exposure, medical imaging |
| Prevention | Eliminating exposure |
| Treatment | Supportive care, stopping smoking, oxygen therapy, lung replacement |
| Prognosis | Up to 40% continue to worsen |
| Frequency | 157,000 (2015) |
| Deaths | 3,600 (2015) |
Asbestosis is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. It requires a relatively large exposure over a long period of time, which typically only occur in those who directly work with asbestos. All types of asbestos fibers are associated with an increased risk. It is generally recommended that currently existing and undamaged asbestos be left undisturbed. Diagnosis is based upon a history of exposure together with medical imaging. Asbestosis is a type of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
There is no specific treatment. Recommendations may include influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, oxygen therapy, and stopping smoking. Asbestosis affected about 157,000 people and resulted in 3,600 deaths in 2015. Asbestos use has been banned in a number of countries in an effort to prevent disease.
Statistics from the UK's Health and Safety Executive showed that in 2019, there were 490 asbestosis deaths.