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Asbestosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure

Definition of Asbestosis:

Asbestosis is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally, and cannot perform gas exchange. The severity of the disease depends upon the duration of exposure to asbestos and the amount inhaled.

Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurs in asbestos mining and milling industries, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. In families of asbestos workers, exposure can also occur from particles brought home on the worker's clothing.

Asbestos-related disease includes pleural plaques (calcification), malignant mesothelioma, and pleural effusion. Mesotheliomas may develop 20 - 40 years after exposure. Workers today are less likely to develop asbestos-related disease because of government regulations.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing the disease. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people.

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 3/1/2007
David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Pupavath S, Godwin JD. Imaging of interstitial lung disease. Radiol Clin North Am. May 2005;43:589-599.

Glazer CS, Newman LS. Occupational interstitial lung disease. Chest. September 2004;25:467-478.

English JC, Leslie KO. Pathology of the pleura. Clin Chest Med. June 2006;27:157-180.

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