There are many causes of lung disease, but because it can take years from exposure to a harmful substance, such as asbestos, to symptoms occurring or being diagnosed, it may not be the first thing someone thinks of when they learn of their illness.

More and more people are now aware of the dangers of inhaling asbestos fibres, but this material was commonly used throughout the building trade as recently as the 1980s because it is naturally occurring, robust, versatile and fire resistant, offering many benefits to the construction industry.

Frustratingly, health inspectors realised as early as the 1900s that asbestos was dangerous, and this information was also passed to employers who knew how dangerous it was but did nothing to protect their workforce until much later. By this time it was too late and the damage may already have been done to workers' lungs.

Whilst asbestos is still present in many buildings in the UK, it's only when the material is disturbed that the harmful fibres can become airborne. These microscopic fibres, when inhaled into the lungs, can develop into mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and/or pleural thickening.

Even though many workers were exposed to asbestos and may well have inhaled these harmful fibres, it's significant to remember that not everyone will be affected in the same way.  Even minor exposure can result in the most deadly of lung diseases; mesothelioma. Then again, many people remain unaffected.

If symptoms do present themselves, it's recommended that you seek medical advice quickly, and whilst litigation may not be a priority for a victim of asbestos exposure at the time of suffering, legal advice should be sought at that time so that a potential claim has a better chance of success.

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