Asbestos exposure can result in serious symptoms and side effects. You could develop one of several diseases related to exposure or be left with chronic health symptoms that are hard to explain.
Asbestos exposure can happen anywhere, from being outdoors or working in an indoor environment. Asbestos occurs naturally, but the level of exposure you’d need to get sick is most likely to occur if you are working with insulation in attics or walls, if you’re handling shingles, if you’re removing siding from a home or if you’ve broken or are replacing tiles on floors.
You may also be exposed to asbestos if you work with car brakes, fire-resistant or heat-resistant fabrics or blankets used to protect hot water pipes.
Does everyone who is exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma?
No, but exposure does increase your risk. If you’ve worked with asbestos in the past or may have been exposed and later develop trouble breathing, a doctor may wish to perform an X-ray or pulmonary function test to see how much air your lungs can still hold. Using a biopsy or CT scan, it would be possible to identify mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, and it can affect the abdomen, chest and lungs. If you have symptoms in any of these areas, even if it is decades after exposure, it’s best to bring up the fact that you were exposed to asbestos to your medical provider.
If you do develop an illness related to asbestos exposure, your attorney will help you file a claim to seek fair compensation.