Asbestos Health Effect

Inhalation of asbestos fibre is by far the most important route of exposure and asbestos is a proven human carcinogen. The amounts of uptake by ingestion being questionable and, at the least, significantly lower.  Results are inconclusive, if not negative, from several studies conducted on laboratory animals through exposure to very high doses of asbestos in diet or drinking water.

The toxicity of the asbestos is dependant on the dimensions or size of the fibre inhaled, on the dexterity or durability and dosage or number of fibres inhaled.  Several asbestos related diseases are now recognised. The most important of these are:

Asbestosis                        A progressive scarring of lung tissue

Lung cancer                      Increased risk when associated with smoking

Mesothelioma                   only caused by asbestos. Tumors on the mesothelium.

                                        The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the

                                           internal organs of   the body

Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Cancer Differences

More Information Via the

Mesothelioma Center

The Mesothelioma Center is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its effects in causing mesothelioma cancer. In addition provides support and treatment options for those with malignant mesothelioma. Visit Asbestos.com for more information.

                            

These diseases generally arise after long prolonged exposure to respirable size fibre that may penetrate the lung alveoli, and they usually occur many years after the exposure to asbestos.  Unlike many hazardous materials, the exposure to asbestos dust does not result in immediate danger to health, but rather leads to an increased risk of contracting specific cancers or other respiratory related diseases later on.  In the great majority of cases, it ranges from 10 to 50 years between exposure and development of the disease.

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