Asbestos exposure

I have been exposed to airborne asbestos for 7 hours at a building site. I use an inhaler to reduce inflammation. When I stop using it my lungs get in flamed and I usually cough up a long fibre as if its in my long and been striped off. The sensation is sore. When I go back to inhaler my lungs get up green phlegm. I d'ont understand all this~~? Can green phlegm remove asbestos fibres from lung or is it just white phlegm. Is it definite to die from lung cancer or some cancer from asbestos exposure?


This discussion is related to Asbestos Exposure.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

On inhalation of asbestos, fibers get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems. I feel that your symptoms are suggestive of asbestosis.It a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage.

Whether you will be having any carcinoma associated with asbestos depends on the dose,duration, size, shape, and chemical makeup of asbestos fibers and your health and lung condition(whether a prior lung pathology was present).

I feel that you should consult a respiratory physician and get investigations like x-ray,CT chest,bronchoscopy and biopsy lung(if needed) to see the extent of damage to the lungs.Treatment will depend on that.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries

[cocabee]

I have seen a respiratory consultant. I have had all those tests and he could not find anything in my lung. I had a ct lately and it showed nothing. I would like to know if it is possible for green phlegm to remove an asbestos fibre from the lung?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Phlegm cannot remove asbestos fibers from lungs.Phlegm is the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum). It consists of glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids, etc.Green phlegm means a sign of infection. Greenish or rusty phlegm or phlegm with rusty spots can also be a sign of pneumonia and/or internal micro-bleedings.It contains the above stated proteins and bacteria if infection is present.It does not contain asbestos fibers.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[cocabee]

I have throat pain/discomfort I believe from asbestos fibres. Is there any way I can help these fibres be expelled or washed down my esophagus. When i stop taking my inhaler my throat begins to bleeds because of these fibres. I do not think a throat specialist would have the equipment to see these fibres about 4 -5 inches below tongue. Is their a tool i could use to scratch the surface of my throat from my direction. Or is there food / drink with properties that could hook these fibres into my stomach?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

None of the methods that you are describing are helpful in removal of asbestos fibers.On trying these methods,you will be injuring yourself.There is no treatment to remove these fibers.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lung disease due to asbestos exposure or asbestosis. However, there are a variety of treatments available to help manage symptoms. The medical management should focus attention on preventing and rapidly treating viral and fungal infections. Flu and pneumococcal vaccinations are a part of routine care for these patients.Complete cessation of smoking is also required.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[cocabee]

Is 7 hours of asbestos exposure during asbestos removal work very bad when it comes to exposure even if we say its peak exposure ?