Pleural Thickening

Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause a condition known as pleural thickening, where the outer lining of the lungs becomes hard and can result in constant breathlessness.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre which is used as an insulator in buildings and in certain industries, but it can cause problems if the fibres are inhaled because the body’s defences cannot break the particles down.

While asbestosis affects the inside of the lungs, asbestos fibres may also pass through to damage the two-layered outer membrane of the lungs (the pleura). This damage scars the outer lining of the lungs and causes the tissue to thicken, restricting the lungs when they expand and affecting their ability to work properly. The result is often breathlessness, which can affect every aspect of life for those who suffer with it.

As with other illnesses related to asbestos exposure, there can be a very long delay between the actual exposure and signs of illness. It could even take decades for signs of ill health to become evident, so that many people of retirement age now may be suffering the symptoms of asbestos exposure from forty or fifty years ago.

Unfortunately pleural thickening is just one of many serious illnesses that can be caused by asbestos dust, but after diagnosis from their GP many sufferers of pleural thickening have been able to claim compensation for the damage that has been done to their health, and their quality of life.

If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening, and you feel that you should be compensated for the damage that has been done to your health, contact Atrium for professional legal help and advice.