How to Test for Contact With Asbestos

Asbestos contamination is usually caused by breathing air containing this material. The main risk of asbestos exposure is that it can damage the lungs, causing breathing difficulties or even lung cancer. Because of its serious health risks, the use of asbestos was banned by the EPA in 1989. Unfortunately, any asbestos that was already being used at this date was allowed to remain in place. Because of this there is still a significant amount of asbestos currently in circulation. If you are afraid that you may have been exposed to asbestos, there are a number of ways to find out.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult your doctor. All of the tests done to determine asbestos exposure require a medical professional to be properly administered. For a complete list of common asbestos exposure symptoms see the link in the Resources section of this article.

• 2

  Have a physical examination. This examination can help detect any respiratory problems that may be a result of asbestos exposure.

• 3

  Have your urine tested for asbestos. Small traces of asbestos are present in everyone, but if you have exceptionally high levels of asbestos, the asbestos may show up in a urine test. The presence of asbestos in the urine does not necessarily correlate with the level of asbestos in the lungs, nor does it guarantee the development of any asbestos-related diseases.

• 4

  Have a chest X-ray. Although the X-ray cannot detect the asbestos fibers themselves, it is still the most common method for diagnosing asbestos related illnesses. If your X-ray comes up abnormal your doctor may recommend getting a CT scan, which can offer more precise measurements of any potential lung diseases.

• 5

  Have a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a medical procedure where the doctor inserts a small tube into your nose or throat to examine your airways. While this test can detect the asbestos particles themselves it does not confirm whether you are going to develop any asbestos-related illness.