Asbestos is a naturally occuring material found in many buildings, including homes and schools. If disturbed it can cause several serious lung conditions.
What is asbestos?
What is asbestosis?
Other diseases caused by asbestos
Compensation
Take 5 And Stay Alive
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre which is mined in various parts of the world, notably South Africa and Canada. It occurs in three forms known as blue, brown and white asbestos. It can be processed in several ways for industrial use. Its properties of resistance to heat, electricity and sound, make it useful for a variety of purposes, particularly brake linings and insulation.
Asbestos is still present in a wide variety of buildings, including hospitals, schools and homes, often in walls and ceilings as well as in lagging around steam pipes and boilers. It can be a hazard to health and for this reason its use has declined considerably in recent years. Strict regulations now exist to prevent dangerous levels of exposure.
Discovery of asbestos in a building often causes alarm among people living and working in it. Usually this alarm is not justified. Providing the asbestos is well maintained and preferably covered by an impermeable layer of paint or other material so that it is not releasing dust, it does not present any hazard to health. It is only the inhalation of loose asbestos fibres which causes disease.
You could disturb asbestos by doing DIY, so before you start any project make sure you know how to protect yourself and your family. Visit our Take 5 And Stay Alive campaign site to find out more.
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What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a type of scarring of the lung caused by asbestos fibres which have lodged in the lungs after being inhaled from the air. The scarring causes the lungs to shrink resulting in breathlessness. Asbestosis develops in some people who have breathed in a substantial amount of asbestos dust in the course of their work. It usually shows itself a long time after dust inhalation, often 20 or 30 years after exposure.
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Other diseases caused by asbestos
Asbestos causes a number of diseases other than asbestosis. The term ‘asbestosis’ is commonly used by the media to refer to any diseases caused by asbestos, and this can lead to confusion. Other conditions caused by asbestos include:
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Pleural thickening: The pleura is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage. Some asbestos fibres inhaled into lungs work their way out to the pleura and may cause fibrosis or scarring to develop there. This causes the pleura to thicken and this may show up on a chest X-ray. Pleural thickening occurs in two forms. Diffuse pleural thickening extends over a large area and may restrict expansion of the lungs, leading to breathlessness. Pleural plaques are localised areas of pleural thickening which usually do not interfere with breathing.
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Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor which begins in the pleura or in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. Asbestos and other similar fibres found in the soil in some parts of the world are the only known causes of mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma is highest in those who have been heavily exposed to asbestos, but the condition occasionally occurs in people who have had relatively light exposure.
More information about mesothelioma.
Lung cancer: Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer. A very important point is that asbestos exposure and smoking act together to produce a huge risk of lung cancer in people exposed to both hazards. Fortunately, this means that people who have been exposed to asbestos can greatly reduce the risk of lung cancer by not smoking.
More information about lung cancer.
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People suffering from asbestos-induced diseases can usually take legal action against employers who exposed them to dangerous quantities of asbestos. They can also apply to the Benefits Agency for industrial injuries benefit if they suffer from various asbestos-related conditions known as ‘prescribed diseases’. At present these are asbestosis, bilateral diffuse pleural thickening, lung cancer accompanied by one of the first two conditions, and mesothelioma.
A form for application for industrial injuries benefit can be obtained from your local Benefits Agency office.
For further information about asbestos-related diseases contact the British Lung Foundation Helpline - 03000 030 555.
- Clydesdale Action on Asbestos
15 St. Margaret’s Place, Glasgow G1 5JY
t: 0141 552 8852
- Asbestos support group - Barrow- C/o Hospice of St Mary of Furness Ford Park, Ulverston Cumbria LA12 7JP t: 01229 580305 ext.32
- Asbestos support group - Bradford - Unison Offices 2nd Floor, Auburn House Upper Piccadilly, Bradford BD1 3NU t: 01274 393949
- Asbestos support group - Cheshire - 3 Fryer Street Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1ND 01928 576641
- Asbestos support group - Derbyshire - Trade Union Safety Team 70 Saltergate Chesterfield S40 1JR t: 01246 231441
- Asbestos support group - Hampshire - t: 07940 328637 (Lynne) or t: 07792 543426 (Diane)
- Asbestos support group - Gtr Manchester - Windrush Millennium Centre, Unit 2.5 70 Alexandra Road, Moss Side Manchester, M16 7WD t: 0161 636 7555
- Asbestos support group - Merseyside - Suite 32, Second Floor, Oriel Chambers 14 Water Street, Liverpool L2 8TD t: 0151 236 1895
- Asbestos support group - North East - Trade Union Centre, 119/121 Marton Road Middlesborough, Cleveland TS1 2DU t: 01642 240044
- Asbestos support group - Sheffield And Rotherham :- 311 Aizlewoods Mill Nursery Street Sheffield S3 8GG t: 0114 2823 212
- British Lung Foundation - helpline 03000 030 555
- The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund- t: 0114 274 4420
- Mesothelioma UK- t: 0800 169 2409
- MacMillan cancer relief - t: 0808 8082020
- Department for Work and Pensions- t: 0800 88 22 00
- Department for Work and Pensions(for IIDB) - Call JobCentre Plus (number in the phone book)
- Law Society(for a list of specialist solicitors), England and Wales - t: 0870 606 2555
- Law Society, N Ireland - t: 028 90 231614
- Law Society, Scotland - t: 0131 226 7411
- The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund - t: 0191 263 7386
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Page last medically reviewed: Feb '07
