WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material, previously used widely in
ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES
MARIAM MOHAMED-ALI
UB Number: 20022643
Module Leader: Dr Hannah Moody
construction. The main types found in the UK are:
• Blue (crocidolite)
• Brown (amosite)
• White (chrysolite)
When asbestos becomes damaged or disturbed, little fibres can be released
into the air and enter the lungs whilst breathing. This causes detrimental
damage as it damages the lungs and its lining (British Lung Foundation,
2018).
(Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 2015)
WHO IS MOST AT RISK ?
Asbestos was used extensively in buildings for insulation, flooring and
roofing. Although it is now banned in the UK, some buildings may still have
asbestos in them.
The most vulnerable groups are those who have previously worked in
construction and building. Asbestos fibres can also be carried in clothing,
thus possibly infecting family members (British Lung Foundation, 2018).
WHAT DISEASES ARISE FROM INHALING WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
ASBESTOS? ASBESTOS EXPOSURE?

There are three main types of disease that can arise from being After initial exposure to asbestos, it takes approximately 20 years for
exposed to asbestos. They include: symptoms to arise. The main symptoms of asbestos inhalation
include:
(Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients &
Families, 2017) • Shortness of breath
Cancerous Cancerous diseases Non-cancerous • Persistent cough
asbestos-related linked to asbestos asbestos-related • Wheezing
diseases exposure diseases • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Pain in chest or shoulder
Pleural Colon Cancer Hyaline Pleural • Swollen fingertips
Mesothelioma Plaques (NHS Choices, 2019)

There are also signs that indicate asbestos exposure which affect other
Peritoneal Pharyngeal Cancer Asbestosis parts of the body. They include:
Mesothelioma
• Abdominal swelling
• Abdominal pain
Ovarian Cancer Stomach Cancer Pleural effusion • Bowel obstruction
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
Lung Cancer Atelectasis • Hernia
• Weight loss
(Whitmer, 2018)

Laryngeal Cancer Pericardial Effusion

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HOW ARE ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES TO WHAT EXTENT CAN SUCH DISEASES
TREATED? AFFECT LIVELIHOOD ?

Although symptoms develop when the disease has taken over, there
are many screening methods which can accurately display which how
the body has been affected. They include:
 Chest X-Ray – uses a small dose of ionizing radiation to
produce pictures of the chest (RSNA, 2018).
 Low-dose CT Scan – quick and painless approach to screen
for lung cancer.
 Bronchoscopy – a thin tube is passed through the nose or
mouth to screen lungs and air passages (Mayoclinic.org,
2019).
Asbestos fibres can be passed from one person to another. This is called
‘Secondary Exposure’. It is most common among woman and children
as asbestos workers unknowingly used to bring asbestos fibres home
from work. As a result, whole families were affected by asbestos
exposure. Secondary exposure goes by many names. This includes:
• Household exposure
• Indirect exposure
• Paraoccupational exposure
• Take-home exposure
• Secondhand exposure
(Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families,
2019).

 Spirometry – measures how much air you can breathe in to

help diagnose and monitor any lung conditions (NHS
Choices, 2019).

 Pulmonary Function Tests – these tests measure lung

volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange to show
how well the lungs are working.
(Whitmer, 2018)

Despite treatments do not reverse the effects of the disease, there are (Mesothelioma.com, 2018)
treatments for asbestos-related diseases that can help slow the spread.
These consist of supplemental oxygen, which comes from a portable
oxygen tank, medications that can thin lung secretions, pulmonary
rehabilitation, which helps patients learn techniques and make better
lifestyle choices to cope better (Selby, 2013).
.

HOW EXACTLY IS ASBESTOS AFFECTING THE
POPULATION OF THE UK?
Although asbestos has been banned for 20 years in the UK, however, it
is still causing 5,500 deaths a year. An estimated 6 million tonnes of
asbestos remain inside 1.5 million buildings in the United Kingdom
(Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families,
2018). In addition, it is said that 8 in 10 school buildings still contain
asbestos. Because of this, teachers are now 5 times more likely to
develop asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, than the
general population.
REFERENCE LIST:
. (2019). Pulmonary Function Tests. [online] Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-
REFERENCES
therapies/pulmonary-function-tests.
British Lung Foundation. (2018). What is asbestos? [online] Available at: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-
you/asbestos-related-conditions/what-is-asbestos.
Heubl, B. (2021). The Graphic: Asbestos in British homes. [online] eandt.theiet.org. Available at:
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2021/03/asbestos-in-british-homes/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].
June 2020, A.W. 03 (n.d.). How to Deal with Asbestos. [online] Homebuilding & Renovating. Available at:
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/asbestos [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].
Mayoclinic.org. (2019). Bronchoscopy - Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-
procedures/bronchoscopy/about/pac-20384746.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. (2015). Asbestos, its History, and its Dangerous Presence in Daily Life»
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. [online] Available at: https://www.curemeso.org/2015/04/01/asbestos-
history-dangerous-presence-daily-life/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].
Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families. (2017). Asbestos-Related Diseases: Asbestosis,
COPD, Pleural Effusion & More. [online] Available at: https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/related-diseases/.
Myers, L. (2016). Significant asbestos exposure over four month period more than 50 years ago leads to diagnosis of
asbestosis. [online] Linder Myers Solicitors. Available at: https://www.lindermyers.co.uk/significant-asbestos-exposure-
over-four-month-period-more-than-50-years-ago-leads-to-diagnosis-of-asbestosis/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].
NHS Choices (2019a). Asbestosis. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asbestosis/.
NHS Choices (2019b). Spirometry. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spirometry/.
RSNA, A. (2018). X-ray (Radiography) - Chest. [online] Radiologyinfo.org. Available at:
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestrad.
Selby, K. (2013). Asbestosis in Lungs | Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure. [online] Mesothelioma
Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families. Available at: https://www.asbestos.com/asbestosis/.
Selby, K. (2020). Asbestosis Symptoms - Warning Signs of Asbestosis. [online] Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for
Cancer Patients & Families. Available at: https://www.asbestos.com/asbestosis/symptoms/.
Whitmer, M. (2018). Signs of Asbestos Exposure | Symptoms, Screenings & Risks. [online] Mesothelioma Center - Vital
Services for Cancer Patients & Families. Available at: https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/signs/.
www.swedish.org. (n.d.). Low-Dose CT Scan for Lung Cancer Screening | Swedish Medical Center Seattle and
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Issaquah. [online] Available at: https://www.swedish.org/services/thoracic-surgery/our-services/lung-cancer-screening-
program/low-dose-ct-scan-for-lung-cancer-screening [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].