How Does Asbestos Poisoning Occur?
Asbestos poisoning occurs when a person experiences harmful health complications as a result of hazardous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of fibrous minerals that were used extensively to make thousands of products between the 1930s and 1970s. Asbestos poisoning can occur when harmful asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled or ingested. Asbestos poisoning can lead to a number of adverse long- and short-term physical ailments. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning may not appear for ten to fifty years after initial asbestos exposure. Effects of Asbestos Poisoning There are three major diseases that are triggered by asbestos poisoning. These are asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Asbestosis is a form of asbestos poisoning caused when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become trapped in the lungs. In response to the foreign objects (asbestos fibers), the body tries to get rid of it by attempting to dissolve the particles by producing an acid. Unfortunately, the acid has virtually no impact on the asbestos fibers, but is detrimental to the lung tissues. With continual acid secretions, scarring of the lung tissue will lead to pulmonary fibrosis. The scarring can become so severe that it will reduce the functioning of the lungs. This is one of the dangerous types of asbestos poisoning. Mesothelioma is yet another consequence of asbestos poisoning. It is a cancer affecting the pleura, peritoneum, and pericardium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is solely attributed to asbestos poisoning. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 10 to 50 years after asbestos poisoning. It is estimated that people die within two to four years once mesothelioma is diagnosed. Lung Cancer can also be caused by asbestos poisoning. Lung cancer is a malignant tumor of the lungs, and is the most lethal malignant tumor worldwide. Most commonly it is bronchogenic carcinoma - about 90% of lung cancer cases. The chances of developing lung cancer from asbestos poisoning are greatly increased with smoking. The exposure to manifestation period for lung cancer from asbestos exposure is from 15 to 35 years. Other diseases caused by asbestos poisoning include: Asbestos Warts - this is caused when the sharp asbestos fibers are lodge in the skin. When this occurs, the body responds with inflammation that causes skin to overgrow the asbestos fibers. This can lead to callous-like growths around the affected region. It is regarded as a relatively harmless case of asbestos poisoning. Pleural Diseases - Can be caused when asbestos fibers penetrate the pleura, a sac that covers the outer surface of the lungs. Pleural plaques are discrete fibrous or partially calcified thickened area of the pleura. Diffused pleural thickening is similar to pleural plaques and is sometimes associated with asbestosis. If these pleural diseases are extensive and widespread, it can cause impairment of lung function. Other Cancers - besides mesothelioma and lung cancers, other cancers has been shown to be associated with asbestos exposure and poisoning. These are all gastrointestinal cancers with cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum being reported. Also, asbestos poisoning has been linked to some cases of larynx cancer. Victims of asbestos poisoning have the legal right to seek compensation for their injuries through an asbestos lawsuit. Employers, manufacturers, and even landlords or building owners can be held responsible for the asbestos poisoning their negligence failed to prevent. To learn more about your legal rights and options after suffering asbestos poisoning, it is advisable to contact an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible |
