A growing number of studies and organizations are reporting concerns about lung cancer development following exposure to asbestos. A patient who has problems with asbestos in lungs could ultimately develop mesothelioma or lung cancer many years later.

Employees who were exposed to asbestos at work and developed an asbestos related disease as a result could be eligible for compensation. Many of these employees were not familiar with asbestos exposure limits and accumulated asbestos in lungs over the course of their working years.

Although asbestos is no longer used as a primary material in buildings, many people worked with products or workplaces containing asbestos many years ago. Even a home renovation could trigger the release of asbestos fibers into the air. By the time a person realizes the possible dangers of this exposure, it could be too late. Breathing these fibers in could lead to fibers being lodged in the person’s body.

Over time, embedded asbestos fibers can cause medical issues that are severe or even life-threatening. This occurs when fibers become lodged in the body or lung tissues and remain inside the patient until they cause medical conditions. These issues often occur so long beyond the initial exposure that the patient might not make the connection immediately.

Asbestos Use and Lung Cancer

When it was a popular material, asbestos was found in a broad variety of products, but it has most prevalently affected those who worked in shipyards with the Navy, construction workers, insulation workers, tilers, roofers, toll collectors, plumbers, auto mechanics and textile workers.

Exposure to asbestos and the accumulation of fibers inside the lungs could lead to a diagnosis of lung cancer. Unfortunately, according to Web MD, lung cancer typically has no symptoms in its early stages.

When symptoms of lung cancer do begin to appear, a patient should be mindful to report these to their doctor sooner rather than later. Some of these symptoms include hoarseness, wheezing, persistent chest pain, swelling in the face and neck, raspy coughing, shortness of breath, respiratory infections, and trouble swallowing. These problems typically occur because the cancer has blocked breathing passages or because the cancer itself has spread into areas near the lung or other parts of the body.

Asbestos is dangerous when a worker has been exposed to it over a long period of time. The accumulation of asbestos fibers inside the patient’s body or brought home on his or clothing from decades ago could develop into an asbestos related disease.

According to research, asbestos is most hazardous when it is in a condition known as friable. This means that the asbestos fibers are easily crumbled by the hand and the fibers are then released into the air. Any sprayed-on asbestos material is extremely friable, whereas floor tile made of asbestos is not.

The friability of asbestos containing materials can be increased because of deterioration and damage, such as aging, water damage, continuous vibrations from drilling, or striking and general aging. Asbestos exposure has been connected to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.