Asbestosis

About asbestos

Asbestos is a whitish material that was used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing in the past, but is now no longer used.

While asbestos can be dangerous, it doesn't present a health risk if left undisturbed. But if material containing asbestos is damaged, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibres.

When the dust is breathed in, the asbestos fibres enter the lungs and can gradually damage them over time.

But you would need long periods of exposure to asbestos fibres, usually over many years, before you develop asbestosis.

People at risk of getting asbestosis

You may have been exposed to asbestos if you worked in an industry such as building or construction, particularly in the 1970s-90s.

Now that asbestos is no longer used, those most at risk of being exposed to asbestos include people whose jobs put them at risk of damaging any asbestos remaining in old buildings, such as electricians and demolition workers.

• For more information on who could be at risk, read more about asbestos

Symptoms of asbestosis

Breathing in asbestos fibres over many years eventually causes scarring of the lungs.

Symptoms of this can include:

• shortness of breath 
• persistent cough
• wheezing
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• pain in your chest or shoulder 
• in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if you have the symptoms above and think you may have been exposed to asbestos.

Your GP will listen to your lungs and ask about your work history.

They may refer you to a specialist in lung diseases for more tests if asbestosis is suspected.

Tests may include:

• a chest X-ray
• a CT scan of the lungs
• lung function tests to see how well your lungs are working

Treatment for asbestosis

There's no cure for asbestosis once it has developed, as it's not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs.

But there are some treatments that can help, such as:

• pulmonary rehabilitation – a programme of exercise sessions, discussion and advice to help you manage your symptoms
• oxygen therapy – breathing in oxygen-rich air from a machine or tank to help improve breathlessness if your blood oxygen levels are low

It's also important that you:

• stop smoking if you smoke – symptoms can be worse in those who smoke, and smoking increases the risk of lung cancer
• see your GP to have the flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination – your lungs will be more vulnerable to infections like flu and pneumonia

Complications of asbestosis

People with asbestosis also have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as:

• pleural disease – thickening of the lining covering the lungs (pleura) 
• mesothelioma – cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, tummy, heart or testicles 
• lung cancer

Support for people living with asbestosis

Asbestosis can have a big impact on your life. But support is available to help you live as independently as you can and have the best possible quality of life.

It might help to speak to others who have the same condition, or connect with a charity, see more useful links below.

• Read about Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit  

More useful links

• How to use your health services
• British Lung Foundation
• Cancer Research UK - mesothelioma
• Mesothelioma UK