Asbestosis
Quick Facts
Mesothelioma
Heart Disease
Lung Cancer
Possible Causes
Inhalation of Asbestos Occupational Risk
Oil Refineries
Power Plant Workers
Railroad Workers
Shipyards
Steel Mills
Longshoremen
Merchant Marines
U.S. Navy Veterans
Automotive Mechanics
Boilermakers
Bricklayers
Carpenters
Welders Related Topics
Asbestos
Mesothelioma
Toxic Substances
Diseases
Asbestosis Disease Injury Lawsuits
Asbestosis | Lawsuits, Lawyers | Exposure: Injury, Infection, Disease | Asbestos Exposure, Toxic Substances
Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It usually strikes workers in the textile, cement and insulating industries. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually indestructible. The asbestos fibers can easily flake off and are small enough to be completely inhaled deep into the lungs.
When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos. The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues for decades. This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling between the the tiny air sacs of the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing becomes much less efficient.
In people who develop Asbestosis, the inflammatory process (once started) continues to progress, fueled by the indestructible asbestos fibers even after the exposure to asbestos has ceased. Asbestosis is a slowly progressing disease that will show no symptoms for 10 to 30 years. The early symptoms of Asbestosis typically include shortness of breath, coughing, a dry crackling sound while inhaling and chest pain.
Several serious conditions are indirectly caused by Asbestosis, such as Mesothelioma, heart disease and lung cancer. Below is a list of industrial sites, occupations, and products related to asbestos exposure.
Industrial Sites
- Oil Refineries, Power Plant Workers, Railroad Workers, Residents of towns with former asbestos plants Manufacturing plants, Shipyards, Steel Mills
- Workers in Old Buildings
- Contractors working on an old building can often stir up asbestos fibers and poison the workers in the building.
- Maritime Occupations: Longshoremen, Merchant Marines, U.S. Navy Veterans
- Construction Trades & Other Occupations: Automotive Mechanics, Boilermakers, Bricklayers, Carpenters, Electricians, Insulators, Iron Workers, Laborers, Maintenance Workers, Millwrights, Plasterers, Plumbers, Sheet metal Workers, Steam Fitters, Tile Setters, Welders
Partial List of Dangerous Products
- Acoustical panels/plaster
- Brake linings
- Fireproof aprons
- Fire brick
- Floor tiles
- Gasket material
- Glassblower mitts
- Pipe covering
- Insulation
Legal Help For Victims Affected By Asbestosis
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and been diagnosed with asbestosis, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified toxic substances attorney or call us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).










