British Lung Foundation: Breathe Easy Week 14-20 June - Asbestos and lung disease
Published: 10:23AM BST 14 Jun 2010
Lung disease can have a hereditary cause, but more commonly results from exposure to a harmful substance at some time in a person's life, whether that be through smoking or perhaps inhalation of dangerous materials such as asbestos.
Once nicknamed the 'magic miracle' because of its naturally-occurring, robust and fire resistant qualities and versatility throughout buildings and industry, asbestos later became the 'killer dust' when health officials realised the harmful effects.
Whilst health inspectors realised the material was dangerous in the early 1900s, the real frustration is that many employers also knew of the danger, but did nothing about it to protect their workforce until much later, after the damage may have already been done to workers lungs.
Asbestos is still present in many buildings in the UK in ceilings in walls floors, insulation products, lagging, etc, but it is when a material containing asbestos is moved that it becomes harmful as the fibres can be disturbed and become airborne.
These microscopic fibres can then be inhaled into the lungs where they can develop into any one of four main diseases: mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and pleural thickening. Whilst it is important to remember that whilst some victims of asbestos inhalation remain unaffected, it is possible that even very minor exposure can result in lung disease such as mesothelioma.
Many of these diseases may not present symptoms for 20, 30 or even 40 years. If they do, it is recommended you seek medical advice quickly, as inhaling just one fibre can cause an aggressive asbestos-related disease. And whilst litigation may often be the last thing on a victim's mind at a time of suffering, legal advice should be sought as soon as possible to enable a potential claim to have better chances of success.
Tell us what you think
All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.
- Please select a service...
- Accidents abroad
- Accidents at work
- Amputation claims
- Asbestos claims
- Back injury claim
- Brain injury claim
- Criminal injuries compensation
- Cycle accident claims
- Deafness claim
- Fatal accidents
- Loss of sight claim
- Motorbike accidents
- Public liability claim
- Road traffic accidents
- Road traffic accident compensation
- Spinal cord injury claim
- Sports injury claim
- Whiplash compensation
- Work related diseases
a stressful time but
we can help"
Sara Hunt, Associate
