Asbestosis is a lung disease that occurs from breathing in asbestos fibers.

Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure

Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally.

How severe the disease is depends on how long the person was exposed to asbestos and the amount that was breathed in and the type of fibers breathed in. Often, the symptoms aren't noticed for 20 years or more after the asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurred in asbestos mining and milling, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. Families of asbestos workers can also be exposed from particles brought home on the worker's clothing.

Other asbestos-related diseases include:

• Pleural plaques (calcification)
• Malignant mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura, the lining of the lung), which can develop 20 to 40 years after exposure
• Pleural effusion, which is a collection that develops around the lung a few years after asbestos exposure and is benign
• Lung cancer

Workers today are less likely to get asbestos-related diseases because of government regulations.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Cough
• Shortness of breath with activity (slowly gets worse over time)
• Tightness in the chest

Possible other symptoms include:

• Clubbing of fingers
• Nail abnormalities

There is no cure. Stopping exposure to asbestos is essential. To ease symptoms, drainage and chest percussion can help remove fluids from the lungs.

The doctor may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin lung fluids. People with this condition may need to receive oxygen by mask or by a plastic piece that fits into the nostrils. Certain people may need a lung transplant.

You can ease the stress of this illness by joining a lung support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

More information and support for people with asbestosis and their families can be found at:

• American Lung Association -- www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asbestosis
• The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization -- www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
• United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration -- www.osha.gov/asbestos

Outcome depends on the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and how long you were exposed.

People who develop malignant mesothelioma tend to have a poor outcome.

Call your provider if you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos and you have breathing problems. Having asbestosis makes it easier for you to develop lung infections. Talk to your provider about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines.

If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, call your provider right away if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, fever, or other signs of a lung infection, especially if you think you have the flu. Since your lungs are already damaged, it's very important to have the infection treated right away. This will prevent breathing problems from becoming severe, as well as further damage to your lungs.

In people who have been exposed to asbestos for more than 10 years, screening with a chest x-ray every 3 to 5 years may detect asbestos-related diseases early. Stopping cigarette smoking can greatly reduce the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer.

Published Date: May 30, 2021
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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