Asbestos

What is asbestos?
What is asbestosis?
Other diseases caused by asbestos
Compensation

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre which is mined in various parts of the world, notably South Africa and Canada. It occurs in three forms known as blue, brown and white asbestos. It can be processed in several ways for industrial use. Its properties of resistance to heat, electricity and sound, make it useful for a variety of purposes, particularly brake linings and insulation.

Asbestos is still present in a wide variety of buildings, including hospitals, schools and homes, often in walls and ceilings as well as in lagging around steam pipes and boilers. It can be a hazard to health and for this reason its use has declined considerably in recent years. Strict regulations now exist to prevent dangerous levels of exposure.

Discovery of asbestos in a building often causes alarm among people living and working in it. Usually this alarm is not justified. Providing the asbestos is well maintained and preferably covered by an impermeable layer of paint or other material so that it is not releasing dust, it does not present any hazard to health. It is only the inhalation of loose asbestos fibres which causes disease.

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What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a type of scarring of the lung caused by asbestos fibres which have lodged in the lungs after being inhaled from the air. The scarring causes the lungs to shrink resulting in breathlessness. Asbestosis develops in some people who have breathed in a substantial amount of asbestos dust in the course of their work. It usually shows itself a long time after dust inhalation, often twenty or thirty years after exposure.

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Other diseases caused by asbestos

Asbestos causes a number of diseases other than asbestosis. The term ‘asbestosis’ is commonly used by the media to refer to any diseases caused by asbestos, and this can lead to confusion. Other conditions caused by asbestos include:

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Pleural thickening: The pleura is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage. Some asbestos fibres inhaled into lungs work their way out to the pleura and may cause fibrosis or scarring to develop there. This causes the pleura to thicken and this may show up on a chest X-ray. Pleural thickening occurs in two forms. Diffuse pleural thickening extends over a large area and may restrict expansion of the lungs, leading to breathlessness. Pleural plaques are localised areas of pleural thickening which usually do not interfere with breathing.

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Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor which begins in the pleura or in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. Asbestos and other similar fibres found in the soil in some parts of the world are the only known causes of mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma is highest in those who have been heavily exposed to asbestos, but the condition occasionally occurs in people who have had relatively light exposure.

Please go here for more information about mesothlioma.

Lung cancer: Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer. A very important point is that asbestos exposure and smoking act together to produce a huge risk of lung cancer in people exposed to both hazards. Fortunately, this means that people who have been exposed to asbestos can greatly reduce the risk of lung cancer by not smoking.

Please go here for more information about lung cancer.

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Compensation

People suffering from asbestos-induced diseases can usually take legal action against employers who exposed them to dangerous quantities of asbestos. They can also apply to the Benefits Agency for industrial injuries benefit if they suffer from various asbestos-related conditions known as ‘prescribed diseases’. At present these are asbestosis, bilateral diffuse pleural thickening, lung cancer accompanied by one of the first two conditions, and mesothelioma.

It is no longer possible to claim for damages to lungs due to pleural plaques following a ruling on 17 October 2007 (see here for details http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/10/18/asbestos-workers-lose-right-to-claim-91466-19970287/)

A form for application for industrial injuries benefit can be obtained from your local Benefits Agency office.

For further information about Asbestosis and compensation contact:

Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association (OEDA)
t: 020 8360 8490

Clydesdale Action on Asbestos
15 St. Margaret’s Place, Glasgow G1 5JY
t: 0141 552 8852

British Lung Foundation Helpline - 08458 50 50 20
The helpline is staffed by health professionals and benefits advisors who are available to you from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Please go here for more information.

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