Question 1

what sort of problem is asbestosis?

Accepted Answer

Asbestosis: Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos of a certain type (there are three and only one is serious) can lead to lung problems and a rare tumor called mesothelioma.  It takes years of exposure.  While there is a hype about asbestos removal, if you have it in your house it is best to paint it over rather than try to remove it.  No risk is to be had from painted over asbestos.

Question 2

can i get asbestosis in this day and age?

Accepted Answer

Asbestosis: Not usually. Asbestos has been banned in commercial and residential building products however; there are some manufactured products that contain asbestos, or components, and those products must be labelled. In addition, some old buildings may still have asbestos insulation, etc. If you do not work directly with asbestos, such as in reclamation or manufacturing, your chances are quite low.

Question 3

what are the causes of asbestosis symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Variety: Asbestosis is scarring of the airspaces of the lungs and thickening of the walls between them (also known as the interstitium).  This in turn causes shortness of breath, low oxygen levels and chronic cough.  Asbestosis is from prior exposure to asbestos.

Question 4

what are the immediate effects of asbestosis?

Accepted Answer

Little or none: Asbestos exposure has no specific immediate effects.
Asbestosis is the disease some can get long after (usually decades) inhalation of asbestos dust.
When associated with COPD it can cause chronic difficulty  with breathing. Some of these people will develop  a cancer
any large exposure to any dust or  inhaled particulate can cause  immediate symptoms such as a pneumonitis or acute bronchitis.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: asbestosis?

Accepted Answer

Asbestosis: Asbestosis =  a scarring  lung disease due to inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Question 6

why do the symptoms of asbestosis develop only years after exposure?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is usually a late event after exposure to asbestos.  Usually time measured in years.

Question 7

how common is asbestosis and what kind of exposures are needed for its development? 
can someone accidentaly exposed in their house for months get it?

Accepted Answer

Asbestosis: To get this you need to be able to inhale asbestos fibers. This is most commonly an occupational exposure though you can be exposed if inside a building where asbestos was used in construction and there is demolition or renovation causing the powder to go into the air.

Question 8

is asbestosis a type of copd?

Accepted Answer

No: The conditions are completely separate; however, some of the same risk factors occur for both, namely smoking and exposures to certain types of dust.

Question 9

what are the best treatments for asbestosis?

Accepted Answer

Avoidance: There is no treatment for asbestosis. Once the condition is diagnosed, it is permanent. Avoidance from further exposure is key.

Question 10

what are the symptoms of asbestosis in the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Usually none: Most people with asbestos exposure have no symptoms. Asbestos can result in asbestosis of the lung which causes scarring of the lung resulting in decreased lung function, which often produces shortness of breath. It can also cause pleural effussions, lung cancer or mesothelioma.

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Why do the symptoms of asbestosis develop only years after exposure?

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How common is asbestosis and what kind of exposures are needed for its development? can someone accidentaly exposed in their house for months get it?

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