| While we now know that asbestos is a | | | | Pleural plaque formation is typically a harmless |
| carcinogenic material that can cause a variety of | | | | problem. The asbestos fibers in the lungs cause |
| different diseases in our bodies, it was once | | | | the formation of fibrosis collagen deposits that |
| extremely popular and used in everything from | | | | appear as white and smooth areas in and around |
| vinyl flooring to ceiling tiles in our houses and even | | | | the lungs. These deposits can also become |
| brake pads on our cars. Because it can take | | | | calcified. They are usually detected on a chest |
| years for asbestos-related disorders to manifest | | | | x-ray that is performed for a different reason |
| themselves, things like asbestosis and pleural | | | | than to check for plaques. |
| plaques may now just diagnosed in someone | | | | Asbestosis is more severe than the buildup of |
| even though asbestos was banned starting in the | | | | plaques. The scarring that occurs because of |
| late 1980s. | | | | asbestos exposure actually stiffens the lung tissue |
| Asbestosis and pleural plaques are similar disorders | | | | itself. This prevents it from flexing to expand and |
| almost solely caused by exposure to asbestos. | | | | contract so that you can breathe normally. Thus, |
| There are two reasons why asbestos is so bad | | | | asbestosis is typically discovered when a person |
| for our bodies. First, it is a carcinogen, which | | | | has breathing problems. It can cause shortness of |
| means it can mutate our DNA so that cells grow | | | | breath, coughing, and chest pain. In extreme |
| and divide rapidly, building into malignant tumors. | | | | cases, it can cause finger clubbing. |
| Also, it cannot be degraded by our bodies. This | | | | While pleural plaques are not inherently dangerous, |
| means that it can become lodged in our tissues | | | | they can signify that you are at risk for |
| from inhalation or ingestion and can remain there | | | | developing lung cancer or mesothelioma. On the |
| forever. Typically, our bodies must create special | | | | other hand, asbestosis can cause serious |
| nodules of tissues surrounding the fibers so that | | | | complications such as pulmonary hypertension, |
| they do not irritate the rest of our system. | | | | heart problems, and cancer also. |
| Both asbestosis and pleural plaques are | | | | Because asbestos exposure is so dangerous and |
| characterized by scarring of the lungs due to | | | | can cause pleural plaques, asbestosis, as well as |
| asbestos fibers lodged in the tissue. The | | | | other dangerous illnesses, it's no surprise that |
| formation of pleural plaques is actually the most | | | | asbestos is now illegal. However, if you or |
| common health problem resulting from asbestos | | | | someone you know has developed an |
| exposure because the scarring can be caused | | | | asbestos-related disease, you should speak to a |
| even by a short and intermittent exposure to | | | | lawyer about your rights. |
| asbestos. Asbestosis tends to result from heavy, | | | | For more information, talk to a Williams Kherkher |
| long-term exposure to asbestos. | | | | asbestos attorney today. |