Asbestosis

The disease Asbestosis is attributed to the long term inhalation and retention of asbestos dust / fibres.

The death of Nellie_Kershaw in 1924, who worked for Turner Brothers Asbestos, (see also:Turner Newall) was the first documented case of Asbestosis to be described medically and published and attributed the disease to occupational asbestos exposure. As the disease was not medically or legally recognised at that time; Turner Brothers Asbestos denied liability and refused to pay compensation to Nellie Kershaw or her dependants. (listen to Nellie's story BBC Radio )

However, having established the existence of asbestosis on a medical and judicial basis, the report resulted in the first Asbestos Industry Regulations being published in 1931, which came into effect on 1 March 1932.

Asbestosis is the scarring of lung tissue resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibres and not to be confused with Mesothelioma although caused by the same asbestos fibres; Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the pleura cavity.

There are two types of fibres: Serpentine; White asbestos (Chrysotile (curved fibres)) and Amphibole (Blue asbestos (Crocidolite)) & (Brown (Amosite)) asbestos, (thin, straight fibres) and, the later are primarily responsible for human disease asbestosis as these fibres are able to penetrate deeply into the lungs.

When inhalation of asbestos occurs the bodies immune system tries to eliminate the danger by trying to digest the asbestos fibres, when this fails more antibodies attack the asbestos and a build up of fibres occurs and forms scar tissue. Scar tissue is not as flexible as undamaged tissue thus limiting the lungs capability of expanding thus allowing breathlessness to occur when exertion is applied.

Asbestosis does not occur overnight and can take 20–30+ years to become a problem.