Question 1

i worked demolition/construction for 6 years, was exposed to all kinds of homes (~30-50% older homes), and did not wear ppe. is there a way to asses any damage i mightve caused to myself for any diseases i can get later? asbestos/mesothelioma etc?

Accepted Answer

: How long ago was the exposure? There are doctors who specialize in occupational exposures and you could see one of them. But, if does take many years for asbestosis or mesothelioma to appear. A CT scan of your chest would show if you have any signs of lung disease now. See an occupational exposure doctor and review your risk of disease and how to avoid any further exposure. Good luck!

Question 2

hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy
is it possible to get the above disease from  asbestos plaques....thanks?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary osteoarth: Yes if you also have COPD But may also be from drinking too much. Send pictures of hands.

Question 3

how come asbestos workers get lung diseases? didnt they wear protective equipment? similar to how the asbestos removers wear protective equipment

Accepted Answer

Asbestos: asbestos fibers are small and many workers are not that careful about wearing the protective equipment properly and 100% of the time while they are exposed to the dust in the air.

Question 4

exposed myself & family to asbestos dust on weekend (accidently) for approx. 8 hrs. are we likely to get mesothelioma. are chances as low as car crash?

Accepted Answer

No: As a doctor who monitors workers who routinely work around asbestos, you and your family's exposure really does not carry significant risk.  In the future, be sure to use appropriate respiratory protection (proper respirator). Hope this allays your fears.  Best of luck.  Dr R

Question 5

need expert help here. what are the causes of asbestos lung disease?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to asbestos: Exposure to asbestos could cause deposition of plaques of asbestos on the diaphragm and in the lung which called asbestosis. This cause lunf fibrosis and restrictive lung dis. Occasionally it could turn to a form of pleural cancer called mesothelioma.
Shahzeidi, md.

Question 6

i was exposed asbestos dust for a few months during a home demolition. i spent a few hrs there per week.  am i at risk to getting a disease?

Accepted Answer

First, there is no: safe level of exposure. The biggest problem is breathing asbestos fibers into your lungs; even a few can cause damage or lead to mesothelioma/cancer. There is clearly a dose response: the more you are exposed, as well as the fiber type, are important factors. A chest x-ray can detect if you have lung effects; it can't detect fibers themselves. Avoid all future exposure!!

Question 7

asbestos can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis, but how common are those diseases in those heavily exposed?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos: asbestosis is fairly common in people who have sufficient exposure. Mesothelioma is very rare and takes about 50 years from the exposure to the onset of the cancer. I average diagnosing about 1 lung cancer a week but only find mesothelioma about 1 case every 3 years or so to give you an idea.

Question 8

partner exposed to asbestos in 1999 for 6mths, should he be getting annual or more regular check ups now to check for asbestos diseases?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos: Yes. Especially is they smoke or smoked then.

Question 9

can exposure to asbestos cause thyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

NO: Asbestos causes lung disease.

Question 10

removed zonolite insulation from a attic using a shop vac without knowing it could contain asbestos. i was wearing a half face respirator. am i at high risk of developing a asbestos related disease from this one time event ?

Accepted Answer

: Not with just one time exposure when wearing a half face respirator. You are safe, enjoy the winter holidays.

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Doctor answers about:

How likely is it to get an asbestos disease

A member asked:

I worked demolition/construction for 6 years, was exposed to all kinds of homes (~30-50% older homes), and did not wear ppe. is there a way to asses any damage i mightve caused to myself for any diseases i can get later? asbestos/mesothelioma etc?

A member asked:

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is it possible to get the above disease from asbestos plaques....thanks?

A member asked:

How come asbestos workers get lung diseases? didnt they wear protective equipment? similar to how the asbestos removers wear protective equipment

A member asked:

Exposed myself & family to asbestos dust on weekend (accidently) for approx. 8 hrs. are we likely to get mesothelioma. are chances as low as car crash?

A member asked:

Need expert help here. what are the causes of asbestos lung disease?

A member asked:

I was exposed asbestos dust for a few months during a home demolition. i spent a few hrs there per week. am i at risk to getting a disease?

A member asked:

Asbestos can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis, but how common are those diseases in those heavily exposed?

A member asked:

Partner exposed to asbestos in 1999 for 6mths, should he be getting annual or more regular check ups now to check for asbestos diseases?

A member asked:

Can exposure to asbestos cause thyroid disease?

A member asked:

Removed zonolite insulation from a attic using a shop vac without knowing it could contain asbestos. i was wearing a half face respirator. am i at high risk of developing a asbestos related disease from this one time event ?

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