Asbestosis is a serious long-term lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a whitish material that was used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing in the past, its use has been fully banned in the UK since 1999.
While asbestos can be dangerous, it doesn't present a health risk if left undisturbed. But if material containing asbestos is damaged, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibres.
When the dust is breathed in, the asbestos fibres enter the lungs and can gradually damage them over time.
But you would need prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres, usually over many years, before you develop asbestosis.
Am I at risk?
You may have been exposed to asbestos if you worked in an industry such as building or construction, particularly in the 1970s to the 1990s.
Nowadays, you’re only likely to come into contact with asbestos if your work puts you at risk of damaging any asbestos remaining in old buildings. Examples include:
- heating and ventilation engineers
- demolition workers
- plumbers
- construction workers
- electricians
For more information on who could be at risk, read Health and Safety Executive (HSE): am I at risk?
Symptoms of asbestosis
Breathing in asbestos fibres over many years eventually causes scarring of the lungs.
Symptoms of this can include:
It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear.
When to see a GP
You should see a GP if you have symptoms above and think you may have been exposed to asbestos.
The GP will listen to your lungs and ask about your work history.
They may refer you to a specialist in lung disease for more tests if asbestosis is suspected.
Tests may include:
- a chest X-ray
- a CT scan of the lungs
- lung function tests to see how well your lungs are working
Treatment for asbestosis
There's no cure for asbestosis once it has developed, as it's not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs.
But there are some treatments that can help, such as:
- pulmonary rehabilitation - a programme of exercise sessions, discussion and advice to help manage your symptoms
- oxygen therapy - breathing in oxygen-rich air from a machine or tank to help improve breathlessness if your blood oxygen levels are low
- inhaler to ease breathing (if your symptoms are mild)
It's also important that you:
- stop smoking if you smoke - symptoms can be worse in those who smoke, and smoking increases the risk of lung cancer
- see a GP to have the flu vaccination and the pneumoccocal vaccination - your lungs will be more vulnerable to infections like flu and pneumonia
Complications of asbestosis
People with asbestosis also have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as:
- pleural disease - thickening of the lining covering the lungs (pleura)
- mesothelioma – cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, tummy, heart or testicles
- lung cancer
Can I get compensation?
If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, you may be able to claim compensation through:
Find out more about industrial injuries disablement benefit on the GOV.UK website. You can also get advice on benefits and compensation on the British Lung Foundation website.
Support for people with asbestosis
Asbestosis can have a big impact on your life, but help is available. Support services include: