Asbestosis

While asbestosis is often used to describe several different types of health issue caused by asbestos, it is actually a specific illness; lung damage caused by asbestos fibres. Asbestos itself is a natural mineral fibre used across the world as insulation in many buildings, and in certain industries.

Because asbestos is made up of long microscopic fibres that cannot be filtered once they enter the lungs, they remain stuck in the delicate structures of the lungs and can cause serious damage.

As a natural defence the body produces microphages which normally break up foreign bodies that enter areas like the lungs. But because asbestos fibres are not organic they cannot be destroyed in this way. Instead the microphages begin to break down, and the body produces new microphages to attack the old ones in a chain reaction effect.

The result of these chain reactions is fibrosis, major scarring of the lung structures which can leave them permanently damaged and unable to process oxygen as effectively. Fibrosis which has been caused by asbestos particles is described as asbestosis.

Asbestosis can take many years to develop, and as with hearing loss in high-noise environments the effects may not be felt until years after the work that caused the damage.

Symptoms of asbestosis include:

• A tight or painful chest
• Persistent cough
• Increasing shortness of breath
• Wheezing or rattling breaths
• Feelings of fatigue
• Swelling of the fingers and toes

People in many lines of work may have worked around asbestos, from builders, plumbers, plant workers and electricians to staff in schools and hospitals. Engineers and people working with manufacture materials may also have come in to contact with asbestos.

However asbestos itself does not just affect people who have worked around it. The fibres could be brought back home on clothes, hair and shoes which could also leave friends and family at increased risk.

The link between asbestos and lung damage has been known for a full century, and people have been claiming compensation for the terrible damage it can cause for around eighty years.

Asbestos is still present in buildings as an insulation material, but there are now strict regulations in place to keep it thickly covered and well maintained to prevent it releasing any dust and becoming hazardous.

Even still many workers suffer with asbestosis today, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses, and are fully entitled to make a claim for compensation if the illness can be traced to asbestos exposure by a negligent party.

If you or someone you know would like legal advice concerning asbestos or an asbestos related illness, or if you have considered making a claim for compensation, we can help you. Contact Atrium on 0800 840 1541 or email info@atriumlegal.com and find out how we can help.