ATSDR asbestos exposure questions and answers fact sheet

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

A: s to Asbestos W:/^^’^a‘sdtcdc;jg«jvZNEWS/astoes^^ include shortness ofbreath and a dry crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. The chance of / | getting asbestosis is very small for those who do not work with asbestos. Although there is no effective treatment for asbestosis, symptoms of the disease can be managed under the care of a physician. The disease, if severe, can cause disability and death. Lung Cancer Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in occupations involving the mining, milling, manufacturing, and use of asbestos and its products are more likely to get lung cancer than the general population. Tfre-most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other s^ptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pain, hoarseness, and anemia. People who develop these symptoms do not necessarily have lung cancer, but should consult a physician for advice. People who have been exposed to asbestos and are also exposed to some other cancer-causing product, such as cigarette smoke, have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than people who have been exposed only to asbestos. Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and heart. Several hundred cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, and most cases are linked with exposure to asbestos. About 2 percent of all miners and textile workers who work with asbestos, and 10 percent of all workers who were involved in the manufacture of gas masks containing asbestos, develop mesothelioma. This disease may not show up until many years (generally 20 to 40 years or more) after asbestos exposure. Is there a medical test to show whether I*ve been exposed to asbestos? Chest x-rays cannot show asbestos fibers, but can find early signs of lung disease. Other tests, such as lung function tests and high resolution CT scans, can also detect changes in the lungs caused by asbestos. These changes usually are not detectable until years after exposure. What treatments are available for asbestos-related diseases? The National Cancer Institute indicates that the key to successfill treatment of asbestos-related diseases lies in early detection. Many of the health problems caused by asbestosis are due in large part to lung infections, like pneumonia, that attack weakened lungs. Early medical attention and prompt, aggressive treatment offer the best chance of success in controlling such infections. Depending on the situation, doctors may give a vaccine protecting against influenza or pneumococcal pneumonia as a precautionary measure. Treatment of cancer is tailored to the individual patient and may include surgery, anticancer drugs, radiation, or combinations of these therapies. Information about cancer treatment is available fi-om the Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute. Their toll free number is 1-800-4-CANCER.

For more information about Asbestos, go to ATSDR ToxFAQs—.

For other information, contact Kathy Skipper, John Florence, or Mike Groutt, ATSDR Office

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