James Hardie Industries

Asbestos is a mineral rock that is made up of masses of tiny fibres.

For many decades, asbestos was mined and widely used in building materials and for insulation, fireproofing and sound absorption.

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When asbestos is disturbed, it forms a dust made up of tiny fibres.

This can easily be breathed in and cause serious health problems, notably:

pleural plaque
asbestosis
lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The health hazards of asbestos have become clear in recent decades and its use is now restricted in Australia.

Who is at risk?

Almost everyone has been exposed to some asbestos fibres, but for most the exposure and the risk are very small.

People who have been exposed to asbestos fibres in their jobs are at greater risk.

Such jobs include:

mining or milling asbestos
manufacture and repair of goods using raw asbestos fibres, such as brake linings
use of products containing asbestos, for instance in building and construction, heating, shipyards, power stations, boiler making and plumbing
alteration, repair or demolition of buildings or other structures containing asbestos.

It may take up to thirty or forty years after exposure for any disease caused by asbestos to become evident. Most workers exposed to asbestos will not develop an asbestos-related disease.

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If you have been exposed to asbestos you should tell your doctor.

He or she will examine you and may refer you for tests, for example, a chest x-ray or lung function test.

If you smoke, you should stop, since smoking can greatly increase your chance of developing asbestos-related lung cancer.

You should see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

:Shortness of breath
:A cough or change in the way you cough
:Blood in the sputum you cough up from your lungs
:Pain in your chest or abdomen
:Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
:significant weight loss.

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The cancer causes cells in the pleura to produce fluid, called a pleural effusion.

The fluid builds up between the two layers of pleura and presses on the lungs.

This causes shortness of breath and a dry cough, and can also be painful.

As the cancer progresses, it can grow into the chest wall and ribs.

Mesothelioma in the peritoneum-'peritoneal mesothelioma'-causes pain and a swollen abdomen, sometimes with nausea, vomiting, fever or bowel or urinary problems.

In both types, other symptoms may appear later, including rapid weight loss, spitting up sputum or blood, difficulty swallowing and a hoarse voice.

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This is a fairly rare cancer that is very strongly linked with asbestos exposure.

It can take thirty or forty years after exposure to develop. The most common type starts in the pleura (the two layers of membrane that line the chest wall and cover the lungs).

Mesothelioma may occur in one or more places over the pleura. It forms growths shaped like small pieces of cauliflower.

They grow and spread quickly to surrounding areas.

If asbestos fibres are 'breathed into' the stomach, they may also work their way through the stomach wall and cause mesothelioma in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).

Occasionally, mesothelioma arises in the membrane around the heart or the reproductive organs.

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There is no proven cure for mesothelioma.

The aim of treatment is to keep quality of life as good as possible.

Although there is no proven cure, some people's prognosis is better than others, and occasionally, the doctors may hope for a cure.

Your decision about treatment will depend on how far your cancer has progressed, what you prefer and what your doctor suggests.

All treatments have good and bad points and risks, and you should talk these over with your doctor.

Opinions may vary between different specialists, and some people will find it helpful to get a second opinion to weigh up the options.

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If you developed lung disease after exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to seek compensation.

Contact your solicitor for information, however below is a list of lawyers who assist in Asbestos compensation claims.

Slater & Gordon

Baron & Budd, P.C.

Asbestos Law Info Site
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