Asbestos-Related Diseases

How Asbestos Exposure Causes Diseases

Asbestos is a durable mineral once used in thousands of products, such as construction materials and insulation. If these products were damaged or worn down, they could send asbestos fibers into the surrounding air — and those nearby could inhale or swallow the toxic mineral.

Microscopic asbestos fibers could then get stuck in the body and irritate healthy tissues and organs. The human body can't break down asbestos, and the fibers can cause long-term damage and diseases over time. Some may even develop cancer if the irritation causes healthy cells to mutate.

Asbestos-related diseases and cancers include:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Atelectasis (lung collapse)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Lung cancer
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening

Thankfully, U.S. veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases can pursue benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as well as legal compensation from asbestos product manufacturers.

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• Retrieve Financial Aid
• Get Justice and Closure
• No Cost to Get Started

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Who Is at Risk of Asbestos-Related Diseases?

Anyone exposed to asbestos could get sick 10-50 years later. Thousands of people develop asbestos-related conditions each year — and sadly, U.S. veterans are at an especially high risk.

The U.S. military relied on asbestos to build ships, bases, vehicles, and planes between the 1930s and early 1980s. The dangers of asbestos were largely unknown during this time, as manufacturers hid the truth to keep profits high. As a result, veterans make up 33% of all those diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Types of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos exposure can lead to life-threatening cancers, harmful noncancerous diseases, as well as a few low-risk health problems.

There is no way to predict what type of asbestos disease (if any) someone will suffer from if they've been exposed. It depends on where the asbestos fibers end up getting stuck in the body, among other factors not fully understood by medical professionals.

Below, get a breakdown of common asbestos-related diseases and how they develop.

Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) linked to several types of cancers. The most notable is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that can form in the linings of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), or testes (tunica vaginalis), according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Walter, a U.S. Navy veteran, developed mesothelioma decades after working with asbestos during his military service.

“I asked them what the material was made out of and they told me it was asbestos. It didn’t kill anybody on the spot that’s for sure, but it took years later when it started catching up with us. But, my understanding [is] that the powers-that-be knew [of the risks].”

– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran

Other Cancers

Besides mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can lead to many types of cancer. Which cancers will form depends on where the fibers get stuck in the body.

Other cancers linked to asbestos exposure include:

• Colon cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Stomach cancer

Learn more about the cancers caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous but life-threatening disease. It occurs when asbestos fibers get stuck in the alveoli, tiny air pockets in the lungs that swap oxygen for carbon dioxide. Asbestos fibers irritate the alveoli, causing scarring and decreased lung function.

Common symptoms of asbestosis include:

• Chest pain
• Constant cough
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the fingers (clubbing)
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

According to the Mayo Clinic, having asbestosis may increase the risk of lung cancer, especially among smokers. There’s no cure for asbestosis but supplemental oxygen and physical therapy can ease symptoms. A lung transplant may also be needed in serious cases.

Atelectasis

Atelectasis is the medical term for when a lung collapses. A lung may collapse if the lung lining becomes inflamed and constricted. It may also occur as a side effect of other asbestos diseases, such as asbestosis, or as a complication from surgery.

Fortunately, doctors can treat atelectasis using breathing exercises, surgery, and other methods. This condition often improves with treatment.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of conditions that limit lung function. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these conditions include emphysema and bronchitis.

While often smoking causes COPD, it can also be caused by asbestos. For example, the VA granted benefits to a veteran who developed COPD from exposure to asbestos and other chemicals while serving in the Vietnam War. There’s no cure but treatments like medications and physical therapy can help manage symptoms.

If you or a loved one has an asbestos-related illness like COPD, VA benefits might be available. Get a Free Veterans Packet for more information.

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Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusions occur when fluid builds up in the lung lining. Asbestos fibers may cause pleural effusions by irritating the lung lining. Effusions are often seen in patients with pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of pleural effusions include:

• A dry cough that won't go away
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing

Doctors can drain pleural effusions using a needle (thoracentesis). It is common for effusions to come back, however. Doctors may recommend a catheter or try to seal the pleura with talc if this happens.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

In cases of diffuse pleural thickening, the lung lining becomes stiff and scarred, leading to difficulty breathing. It can be caused by asbestos exposure or may be a symptom of other asbestos-related diseases like pleural effusions or pulmonary fibrosis.

Diffuse pleural thickening doesn’t cause severe symptoms, so treatments are not usually needed. That said, doctors can help patients manage the other conditions that may have caused the pleura to thicken.

Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are buildups of collagen, a natural protein, that form in the lining of the lungs. The collagen fibers harden into small clumps as part of the body’s immune response to asbestos fibers. They are the most prevalent asbestos-related lung disease.

There are no symptoms associated with pleural plaques, and they do not pose a threat to human health. However, those with pleural plaques may have a higher risk of other asbestos-related diseases due to their exposure.

Other Asbestos Exposure Diseases

• Peritoneal effusion: This is fluid buildup in the abdominal lining. It is also known as ascites and may be caused by peritoneal mesothelioma. It causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight gain, according to the NCI.
• Pericardial effusion: This occurs when fluid builds up in the lining of the heart. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, swelling of the limbs, and chest pain.
• Pleural fibrosis: This is a term used to describe scarring of the lung lining. It may cause breathing problems or even failure of the respiratory system.
• Pleurisy: Also known as pleuritis, pleurisy is a condition where the lung lining becomes inflamed. Pleurisy causes pain during breathing. It is often associated with pleural effusions and atelectasis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
• Pulmonary fibrosis: Pulmonary fibrosis indicates the lungs have been scarred. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), pulmonary fibrosis prevents the lungs from properly expanding. The body gets less oxygen as a result.

Legal Options for Asbestos-Related Diseases

The manufacturers of asbestos-based products knew people could get sick from exposure decades before the public did. However, they did not warn the public or the U.S. military. Instead, they hid the risks to keep making money.

Today, those suffering from most asbestos-related diseases can pursue financial compensation from these companies.

Compensation is awarded through:

• Lawsuits: Through a mesothelioma lawsuit, manufacturers may be forced to compensate victims for causing their asbestos-related illnesses. These lawsuits award $1 million on average. No branch of the U.S. military or government will face legal action.
• Asbestos trust funds: Some manufacturers of asbestos-based products declared bankruptcy to avoid being sued. However, these companies were forced to establish trust funds so victims would still get compensated. An estimated $30 billion is currently available in asbestos trust funds.

Further, filing a lawsuit or trust fund claim does not prohibit a veteran from receiving VA benefits. Connect with a mesothelioma lawyer to see if you can pursue legal compensation.

Help for Veterans With Asbestos-Related Diseases

U.S. veterans are at a very high risk of diseases caused by asbestos since the military relied on this substance in its ships, bases, vehicles, planes, and shipyards for decades. Thankfully, veterans who got sick after being exposed to asbestos while serving can file for a wide range of VA benefits.

VA benefits include:

• Medical care from some of the best mesothelioma doctors
• Monthly financial payouts
• Survivor benefits for qualifying family members
• Upcoming treatments through clinical trials in select cases

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is dedicated to helping all veterans with asbestos-related diseases access the benefits they may deserve. Our team is well-prepared to help you pursue VA benefits and other forms of compensation.

Get help filing for VA benefits now.