Asbestosis

[marksroomspain]

Can anyone share any info on the condition asbestosis as a close friend of mine has just been diagnosed with it probably from working with chemicals in the 60's and 70's thanks guys...

[Doc Alan]

I’m sorry to read about your friend, Mark, and you’ve both probably searched the topic on the internet ( such as " NHS Choices " *).


Asbestosis is one of the occupational lung diseases, and it’s perhaps surprising that it not only still occurs despite banning in the UK from the mid-eighties, but also the number of past occupations at possible risk ( workers in construction, shipyards, railways, mining ; joiners ; plumbers ; electricians ; painters ; boilermakers ; and Navy veterans ). It’s due to a latency or delay of many years ( 20 – 30 ) between inhaling asbestos fibres and symptoms ( such as breathlessness and cough ) due to fibrosis ( scarring ) of lung tissue. Numbers of people with asbestosis in the UK are not even expected to peak for another 5 years or so. Asbestos use is still unregulated in many parts of the world, including the Philippines ( see links below, but this is beyond my expertise and off topic here ).


Despite this, it’s not common ( cases numbering a few hundred ) in the UK and varies in severity, depending on past levels of exposure. While it’s more frequent in men, cases do occur in women, either occupational or through contact with partner’s clothes for example.


Unfortunately the damage to lungs and the layer surrounding them ( pleura ) is not reversible, but measures such as stopping smoking, having ‘flu and pneumococcal jabs, and oxygen therapy may help. Obviously further exposure to asbestos is unlikely but should be avoided. The outlook for asbestosis does vary significantly, depending on the amount of lung damage and general health.


Your friend with this diagnosis should be able to claim compensation, which can be complicated as the employer exposing him to asbestos may have ceased trading years ago.


I can’t avoid mentioning that lung cancer and asbestos exposure are related ( every link on the topic would include this serious complication anyway ). Not only is the chance of the usual type of lung cancer increased ( especially if there is also a history of smoking ), but also the pleural surface of the lung(s) may become involved - by " malignant mesothelioma ". This is almost always due to asbestos exposure, but is fortunately rare as the outlook is poor.


*
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asbesto...roduction.aspx


( For interested members, these links are for the situation in the Philippines including Subic Naval Base :-

http://212.203.125.69/Asbestos%20CD/...y%20report.pdf


http://worldasbestosreport.org/confe.../pl_5_07_e.pdf )

[Dedworth]

Mark - this might be useful http://www.asbestosis-compensation.co.uk/

Did your friend work for a Turner & Newall company ?

[marksroomspain]

Thanks Doc also Ded, my friend actually worked for ICI then British Steel but the doctor said it's likely to be the first one...Thanks again guys...