What Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases?

Asbestos-related lung diseases are diseases that develop from exposure to asbestos (as-BES-tos) fibers. Asbestos is a mineral that, at one time, was widely used in many industries.

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that can escape into the air. When breathed in, these fibers can stay in your lungs for a long time. If the fibers build up in your lungs, they can lead to:

• Pleural plaque. In this condition, the tissue around the lungs and diaphragm (the muscle below your lungs) thickens and hardens. This tissue is called the pleura. Pleural plaque usually causes no symptoms. Rarely, as the pleura thickens, it can trap and compress part of the lung. This may show up as a mass on an x-ray image.
• Pleural effusion. In this condition, excess fluid builds up in the pleural space. The pleural space is the area between the lungs and the chest wall.
• Asbestosis (as-bes-TO-sis). In this condition, the lung tissue becomes scarred. People who have asbestosis are at greater risk for lung cancer, especially if they smoke.
• Lung cancer. This type of cancer forms in the lung tissue, usually in the cells lining the air passages.
• Mesothelioma (MEZ-o-thee-lee-O-ma). This disease is cancer of the pleura.

Asbestos also can cause cancer in the lining of the abdominal cavity. This lining is known as the peritoneum (PER-ih-to-NE-um).

Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases

Figure A shows the location of the lungs, airways, pleura, and diaphragm. Figure B shows lungs with asbestos-related diseases, including pleural plaque, lung cancer, asbestosis, plaque on the diaphragm, and mesothelioma.

Overview

Until the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in many industries in the United States. For example, it was used to insulate pipes, boilers, and ships; make brakes; strengthen cement; and fireproof many materials, such as drywall.

People who worked around asbestos during that time are at risk for asbestos-related lung diseases. People at highest risk for these diseases include:

• Unprotected workers who made, installed, or removed products containing asbestos. People who worked near those who did these jobs also are at risk.
• Family members of workers who were exposed to asbestos. Family members may have breathed in asbestos fibers that workers brought home on their clothes, shoes, or bodies.
• People who lived in areas with large deposits of asbestos in the soil. However, this risk is limited to areas where the deposits were disturbed and asbestos fibers escaped into the air.

Asbestos fibers also can be released into the air when older buildings containing asbestos-made products are destroyed. Removing these products during building renovations also can release asbestos fibers into the air.

Generally, being around asbestos-made products isn’t a danger as long as the asbestos is enclosed. This prevents the fibers from escaping into the air.

Now, people in the United States are less likely to develop asbestos-related lung diseases because the mineral is no longer widely used.

The use of asbestos is heavily restricted, and rules and standards are now in place to protect workers and others from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is found in only a few new products, such as gaskets used in brakes.

However, many countries do not yet restrict asbestos use, and people in those places are still exposed.

Outlook

The outlook for people who have asbestos-related lung diseases can vary. Their outlook will depend on which disease they have and how much it has damaged their lungs.

No treatments can reverse the effects of asbestos on your lungs. However, treatments may help relieve symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and prevent complications.

If you've been exposed to asbestos, let your doctor know. He or she can watch you for signs of asbestos-related problems and start treatment early, if needed. Early treatment may help prevent or delay complications.

Quitting smoking and making other lifestyle changes can help prevent certain complications in people who are at high risk for asbestos-related lung diseases. These lifestyle changes may prevent more serious disease, including cancer.

April 2009