What is asbestosis?

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a long-term lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibres over a period of time. These tiny fibres can become trapped in the lungs and cause scarring, which makes it harder to breathe.

It is a serious condition and can take many years to develop after exposure. In the UK, it is most often linked to people who worked in building, shipbuilding, manufacturing, or maintenance before asbestos was banned.

How does asbestos affect the lungs?

When asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can lodge deep in the lungs and stay there. Over time, the body reacts to these fibres and this can lead to inflammation and scarring.

As the scarring worsens, the lungs become stiffer and less able to expand properly. This means oxygen has more difficulty moving into the blood, which can leave a person short of breath.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath, especially during physical activity. Some people also develop a persistent dry cough.

Other symptoms can include chest tightness, fatigue, and a feeling of tightness or discomfort in the chest. In more advanced cases, people may notice clubbing of the fingers or swelling caused by strain on the heart.

Who is at risk?

People who worked with asbestos are most at risk, particularly before stricter controls were introduced. This includes trades such as plumbers, electricians, roofers, laggers, builders, and dock workers.

Family members of workers may also have been exposed if asbestos dust was carried home on clothing. Although asbestos is now heavily regulated in the UK, older buildings can still contain asbestos materials.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Asbestosis is usually diagnosed through a combination of medical history, chest X-rays, CT scans, breathing tests, and sometimes specialist referral. A doctor will want to know about past jobs and possible asbestos exposure.

There is no cure for asbestosis, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms and slowing further damage. This may include inhalers, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccinations, and support to stop smoking if needed.

When should you seek help?

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and develop breathlessness or a lasting cough, speak to your GP. It is important not to ignore symptoms, even if the exposure happened many years ago.

Early assessment can help rule out other causes and make sure you get the right support. In some cases, people with asbestos-related disease may also be entitled to specialist care or compensation advice.