How Asbestos Causes Lung Cancer
Fast Fact
One study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, concluded that asbestos killed twice as many people through lung cancer than through mesothelioma.
A naturally occurring mineral found in homes, the workplace or the environment, asbestos has been mined and used for commercial purposes in North America since the late 1800s. It is now highly regulated and a number of countries (and U.S. government agencies) classify it as a human carcinogen. When someone disturbs an asbestos-containing product, they release the microscopic fibers into the air. If inhaled, these thin fibers can become trapped in the lungs. Over long periods of time, they can accumulate and cause inflammation, scarring and other critical health problems. In some cases, the fibers can even trigger the development of lung cancer.
Researchers report that the duration and concentration of asbestos exposure plays a role in the risk of developing lung cancer. The Helsinki Criteria states that the risk for lung cancer increases as much as 4 percent with each year of exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has demonstrated a clear association between the concentration of asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer, finding that the higher the concentration of asbestos fibers, the higher the risk of lung cancer.
The implications of asbestos exposure are not apparent immediately following exposure. When asbestos fibers are first inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs. The size of asbestos fibers affects where they become lodged, having implications on whether lung cancer or mesothelioma develops. Researchers discovered that 3mm fibers are more likely to become lodged in the lining of the lungs, whereas 5mm fibers (1/5 inch) tend to lodge in the lung tissue and increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
After many years, sometimes decades, these fibers cause enough irritation and cellular damage to generate tumor formation. Whether someone develops lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis will depend on a person's health, genetics, habits like smoking, and the duration and concentration of exposure.
Occupational Exposures
Workers in certain trades and professions, most of them industrial, carry elevated risks of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Shipyards, which have notoriously poor safety records, exposed workers to widespread asbestos until the mid-1970s. Many employees rarely wore necessary protective gear, and nearly all shipyard workers placed themselves at risk for lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
But shipyards workers are hardy the only trade considered high risk for asbestos lung cancer. Any occupation in which people are in a confined area where asbestos is present - or where asbestos dust is circulated - is dangerous.
Those occupations include:
Fast Fact
One study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, concluded that asbestos killed twice as many people through lung cancer than through mesothelioma.
A naturally occurring mineral found in homes, the workplace or the environment, asbestos has been mined and used for commercial purposes in North America since the late 1800s. It is now highly regulated and a number of countries (and U.S. government agencies) classify it as a human carcinogen. When someone disturbs an asbestos-containing product, they release the microscopic fibers into the air. If inhaled, these thin fibers can become trapped in the lungs. Over long periods of time, they can accumulate and cause inflammation, scarring and other critical health problems. In some cases, the fibers can even trigger the development of lung cancer.
Researchers report that the duration and concentration of asbestos exposure plays a role in the risk of developing lung cancer. The Helsinki Criteria states that the risk for lung cancer increases as much as 4 percent with each year of exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has demonstrated a clear association between the concentration of asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer, finding that the higher the concentration of asbestos fibers, the higher the risk of lung cancer.
The implications of asbestos exposure are not apparent immediately following exposure. When asbestos fibers are first inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs. The size of asbestos fibers affects where they become lodged, having implications on whether lung cancer or mesothelioma develops. Researchers discovered that 3mm fibers are more likely to become lodged in the lining of the lungs, whereas 5mm fibers (1/5 inch) tend to lodge in the lung tissue and increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
After many years, sometimes decades, these fibers cause enough irritation and cellular damage to generate tumor formation. Whether someone develops lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis will depend on a person's health, genetics, habits like smoking, and the duration and concentration of exposure.
Occupational Exposures
Workers in certain trades and professions, most of them industrial, carry elevated risks of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Shipyards, which have notoriously poor safety records, exposed workers to widespread asbestos until the mid-1970s. Many employees rarely wore necessary protective gear, and nearly all shipyard workers placed themselves at risk for lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
But shipyards workers are hardy the only trade considered high risk for asbestos lung cancer. Any occupation in which people are in a confined area where asbestos is present - or where asbestos dust is circulated - is dangerous.
- Auto mechanics
- Construction workers
- Insulation installer
- Roofers
- Tilers
- Plumbers
- Paper mill workers
- Textile workers
- Sheet metal workers
- Toll collectors
- Linotype technicians
- Veteran Exposures
Asbestos Lung Cancer in New York
About 13,500 cases of asbestos lung cancer are diagnosed every year in New York state, thanks in large part to the large number of asbestos-laden job sites and the state's history of lowered safety regulations.
As is true for many people who develop the disease, the majority of New York's asbestos lung cancer patients developed the disease after being exposed at work. New York's history with the shipbuilding industry, with shipyards, with foundries and with other blue-collar occupations contribute to the high asbestos cancer rates overall in the state.
As is true for many people who develop the disease, the majority of New York's asbestos lung cancer patients developed the disease after being exposed at work. New York's history with the shipbuilding industry, with shipyards, with foundries and with other blue-collar occupations contribute to the high asbestos cancer rates overall in the state.
Click here to learn more about asbestos lung cancer in New York
About 13,500 cases of asbestos lung cancer are diagnosed every year in New York state, thanks in large part to the large number of asbestos-laden job sites and the state's history of lowered safety regulations.
As is true for many people who develop the disease, the majority of New York's asbestos lung cancer patients developed the disease after being exposed at work. New York's history with the shipbuilding industry, with shipyards, with foundries and with other blue-collar occupations contribute to the high asbestos cancer rates overall in the state.
As is true for many people who develop the disease, the majority of New York's asbestos lung cancer patients developed the disease after being exposed at work. New York's history with the shipbuilding industry, with shipyards, with foundries and with other blue-collar occupations contribute to the high asbestos cancer rates overall in the state.
Click here to learn more about asbestos lung cancer in New York
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