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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil and rock in some areas of the United States. The six types of asbestos are actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite. These minerals are made up of fibers that vary in size and shape. The type of asbestos found in the vermiculite ore from the mine at Libby is tremolite/actinolite.
How would I come into contact with (be exposed to) asbestos?
Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the method of exposure that is most likely to cause adverse health effects for people. Workers in industries that use asbestos or products containing asbestos (such as building materials), may inhale fibers that are suspended in the air. Workers may also carry asbestos fibers home on their clothes, where family members might come into contact with asbestos by inhaling the fibers. Also, people who live or work near asbestos-related operations may inhale asbestos fibers that enter the air because of releases of materials into the environment. Generally, asbestos fibers are thin fibers too small to be seen; as they float in the air, they can easily be inhaled. People may also swallow asbestos fibers if they eat in areas where asbestos fibers are in the air or if they drink water contaminated with fibers. Homes and businesses insulated with material containing asbestos may also be a source of exposure.
The amount of asbestos a person is exposed to will vary according to how many fibers are in the air and how long a person breathes the air containing the fibers.
Between 1940 and 1980, an estimated 27 million Americans workers had an occupational exposure to asbestos that could result in health effects.
Does asbestos exposure cause health problems?
Health problems are usually related to the amount and length of time of exposure to asbestos. After asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can easily enter and become trapped in the airways and lung tissue and the body has difficulty removing the fibers. Continued exposure to asbestos increases the amount of asbestos that remains in the lungs. Diseases related to asbestos may not show up until several years later.
What illnesses are associated with 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 successful 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 from the Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute. Their toll free number is 1-800-4-CANCER.
For other information, contact Kathy Skipper, John Florence, or Mike Groutt, ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs, at 770-488-0700, or via e-mail at the ATSDR Press Office at atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov.
This page last updated on July 26, 2001
Contact Name: Joanne Cox/ vzc6@cdc.gov
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