Can asbestos exposure cause lung diseases?

Question

Hello doctor,

My house is very near to an asbestos building that burned in my city a few years back. At the time of the fire, I was at home. It was considered a health hazard for the inmates by the Government. Can the exposure be big and significant enough to cause harm and how worried should I be?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing and I understand your concern.

There is nothing to worry about. It has been two years since the exposure, so if you did not have any symptoms it means everything is fine. Usually, symptoms like cough and all can be seen. But you have not had any symptoms, so nothing to worry about. Do you have any symptoms currently?

Kindly update me on the above question.

I hipe this has helped you.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for quick response.

No, you are not at risk. Usually, symptoms can be seen at onset, otherwise, a person would not have any complications in the future. So, in your case, I suggest you are safe and you were not exposed to asbestos. Actually, it affects when a person was in the same room and inhaled asbestos. You were far from exposure so there is no risk at all. Mesothelioma does not really occurs due to asbestos. There are other risk factors such as a family history of lung cancer, smoking, and genetics.

Do you have a family history of lung cancer?

Kindly update me on the above question.

Thanks and regards.