Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous due to its physical properties and health effects. It comprises small, durable fibers that, when inhaled, can lodge in the lung tissue and remain there for long periods.
Over time, these fibers can cause inflammation, and scarring, and eventually lead to several serious health conditions.
Here are the primary reasons asbestos is considered hazardous:
- Respiratory Diseases: Asbestos exposure is most commonly linked to several respiratory diseases, including asbestosis (a fibrotic lung disease), pleural thickening, and other non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.
- Cancer: The most severe impact of asbestos exposure is its potential to cause cancer. The inhalation of asbestos fibers has been conclusively linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and other organs.
- Prolonged Latency Period: Asbestos-related diseases often take a long time to develop, sometimes up to several decades, which makes them particularly insidious. Individuals may not be aware of their exposure until symptoms appear many years later.
How Much Asbestos Exposure Is Harmful?
Asbestos exposure, even at low levels, is considered harmful. The health risks associated with asbestos do not arise from a safe threshold level; rather, the risk increases with the duration and intensity of exposure.
Here are key points about the harmfulness of asbestos exposure:
No Safe Level
Both the WHO and EPA state that there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. Even brief or minimal exposure can potentially lead to health problems, particularly if such exposures occur repeatedly over time.
Cumulative Risk
The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases is cumulative. This means that the more asbestos dust a person inhales over time, the greater their risk of developing health issues.
Types of Exposure
Occupational exposure to asbestos, such as in industries involving construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing using asbestos, carries the highest risk.
However, non-occupational exposure through environmental or secondary contact can also be harmful, though the risk is generally lower than that from occupational exposure.
Asbestos Exposure and Smoking
Asbestos exposure and smoking are both significant risk factors for lung diseases, particularly lung cancer.
When combined, the risk of developing lung cancer is notably higher than the sum of the risks associated with each factor independently.
Here are some critical points:
- Synergistic Effect: Asbestos exposure and smoking interact synergistically, meaning that the combined effect of these two factors is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
- Increased Cancer Risk: Studies have shown that smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a risk of developing asbestos-related disease that is approximately 50 to 90 times higher than non-smokers who have not been exposed to asbestos.
- Mechanism of Harm: The exact mechanism by which smoking and asbestos interact is not fully understood, but it is believed that smoking may impair the lungs’ ability to clear asbestos fibers. This impairment could contribute to the prolonged presence of fibers in the lung.
- Health Monitoring: Regular health screenings and monitoring for respiratory conditions are recommended for individuals with a history of both smoking and asbestos exposure, due to their elevated risk for lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
This combined impact of asbestos exposure and smoking underscores the importance of both occupational health safety and smoking cessation efforts to reduce the risk of serious lung diseases.