subject: What Is Asbestosis? [print this page] The lung disease asbestosis has its origins in the lengthy exposure to the hazardous substance asbestos, which was widely used for building materials in the 20th century, due to its many properties. Its main uses were in thermal pipe insulation and ceiling tiles. Asbestos can be utilised to describe a number of minerals constructed of unstable crystal fibres.
The perils of asbestos have been recorded since ancient times, with the Ancient Greek geographer Strabo noting the deterioration of slaves who contracted the condition whilst mining and weaving the mineral into cloth. Despite this use of the substance was not banned in the UK until 1999. Asbestos is still widely used in developing countries.
The latency period surrounding asbestosis makes it hard to estimate the number of people that will be affected by the condition. Symptoms include shortness of breath, first on exertion but later into the condition even at rest periods, fatigue, a cough, tightness of the chest, and chest pain. Medication can be used to manage the symptoms and enhance breathing capabilities, and oxygen is prescribed for those with severe difficulties, but the condition is at present incurable.
The stress placed on a person's health caused by asbestosis can severely limit their life expectancy. 134 deaths were reported in the UK in 2005 which mentioned asbestos as an underlying cause of death. Asbestosis substantially increases the risk of an individual developing lung cancer or mesothelioma.
It is believed that the number of deaths due to asbestosis is set to rise in future years due to the prolonged gap between exposure to asbestos and the onset of cancer. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expects the figure to rise from the 825 new claims for disability benefit as a result of asbestosis in 2005.
by: Katie Clayton
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