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The Harmful Effects of Asbestos

Asbestos is a strong, heat-resistant mineral-fiber used to manufacture building materials, such as shingles, floor tiles and cement products. As of the 1970s, asbestos manufacturing was banned in the United States, due to the harmful effects of the material. Individuals exposed to asbestos on a regular basis may be at risk of significant lung damage and subsequent tumor formations.

  1. Effects on Lung Tissue

    • The fibrous quality of asbestos minerals can pose a significant health threat when particles become airborne. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos particles appear as small, sharp microscopic fibers that can easily enter the body's air passageways. When inhaled, fiber particles can lodge inside lung tissue for indefinite periods of time. Individuals exposed to deteriorating asbestos materials on an ongoing basis or those who work with asbestos are at a greater risk of experiencing its effects. Over time, fiber particles start to irritate lung tissue and cause scarring to form along lung cavity walls. Air passageways, such as the esophagus and bronchial tubes, can also develop scarring in areas where asbestos particles lodge.

    Effects on Lung Membrane Linings

    • According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, the lung cavities have a membrane lining that runs along their interior walls. Airborne asbestos particles that enter the lungs can become lodged inside these interior membrane linings. Over time, lodged fibers cause areas in these linings to thicken and calcify, which develops into plaque formations. These conditions result in fluid buildup inside the membrane lining. Individuals may experience problems breathing as a result. As the condition progresses, diseased areas develop within the lung cavities. And while individuals who work with asbestos on a continual basis are most at risk, the people they come into contact with regularly are also exposed to a certain amount of asbestos.

    Effects on Disease Development

    • Diseases resulting from asbestos inhalation can take as long as 30 years before noticeable symptoms develop. During this incubation period, lung membranes and tissues undergo significant damage as fiber materials become further embedded. According to the EPA, diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma are directly associated with asbestos exposures. Lung cancer is another disease that can develop and eventually spread through the chest and abdominal regions, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Cancerous conditions develop when embedded fibers damage surrounding cells, and cause tumor formations to appear. As tumors form, asbestos fibers can become further embedded within the body. As this happens, tumors continue to spread as fibers move through the tissue contained in the chest and/or abdomen. In many cases, an asbestos-related disease has progressed to advanced stages by the time a diagnosis is made due to the long incubation period.

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