Asbestos

Hi,

Last week an independent laboratory published a study they had done of the air surrounding the WTC following the attack.  The study showed quite a bit of asbestos present.  What are the long-term effects of breathing in asbestos?  What are the symptoms of white lung disease?  Also can you tell us what symptoms we should be concerned about vs symptoms not to worry about?

Thanks for giving us a place to ask these questions!

Mike
NYPD

[National Jewish]

The long-term effects of breathing asbestos are associated with 2 factors: the concentration of asbestos fibers someone breathes in and the duration of the exposure.  It generally requires 15-60 years after the first exposure before an asbestos related disease develops.  Asbestosis, also known as white lung disease, is scarring of the lung tissue caused by breathing in asbestos fibers.  Symptoms of asbestos include cough and progressively worsening shortness of breath.  In addition, heart failure can be a complication of severe asbestosis. It's important for someone with an asbestos exposure to notify his/her healthcare provider about the exposure and have a yearly medical examination (including spirometry or pulmonary function testing).  Because smoking cigarettes increases the risk of another asbestos related disease, lung cancer, it is also very important not to smoke.

[miamairmeg]

A related discussion, ? pluericy causing pleural thickening with calcification was started.