Asbestos symptoms do not appear immediately after exposure, but typically develop with a delay of 10 to 50 years. This long latency period makes identifying asbestos diseases challenging, as many are exposed at work for years before the first signs appear. In Finland, the use of asbestos was banned before 1994, but it still occurs in old buildings, and exposure still occurs during renovation and removal work.
Why do the symptoms of asbestos only appear years later?
Asbestos fibers are transported with breathing air to the lungs, where they stick to the lung tissue. The body is unable to break down these thin mineral fibers, instead they remain in place, causing slow inflammation and scarring. Damage at the cellular level progresses over decades, and only when the damage is extensive enough do the symptoms become noticeable. The typical latency is 10 to 30 years in asbestosis and up to 20 to 50 years in mesothelioma.
The most common early symptoms of asbestosis
In the early stages, the symptoms are mild and resemble normal respiratory problems. That is why they are easily overlooked.
- Shortness of breath especially during exertion, for example when climbing stairs
- Persistent dry cough without clear flu symptoms
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest
- Rattles and abnormal breath sounds
- Unexplained fatigue and decreased performance
If you have worked in construction, insulation or demolition before the 1990s and you notice these symptoms, asbestos exposure should be seriously discussed with a doctor.
More advanced diseases caused by asbestos
Asbestos can cause four main diseases, all of which have their own characteristics.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic disease that scars the connective tissue of the lungs. Symptoms include progressive shortness of breath, a dry cough and a decrease in lung capacity. Asbestosis is a dose-response disease, i.e. the risk increases with the amount of exposure.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that arises in the surface layer of the pleura or peritoneum. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss and fluid accumulation in the pleura.
Lung cancer
Asbestos exposure multiplies the risk of lung cancer, especially in connection with smoking. The symptoms correspond to other lung cancer: prolonged cough, hemoptysis, chest pain and weight loss.
Pleural plaques and pleural effusion
Pleural plaques are thickenings of the pleura, which are often asymptomatic but act as a sign of previous exposure. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura and causes shortness of breath.
When should you see a doctor?
See an occupational health doctor or health center doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos at work and notice the symptoms mentioned above, or if there are no symptoms, but you want a follow-up examination. The Institute of Occupational Health recommends that those exposed to asbestos at work register to the ASA registry, which enables systematic health monitoring. Early diagnosis improves the prognosis significantly, especially in lung cancer.
How are asbestos diseases diagnosed?
Diagnostics is based on clinical examination and imaging. Common tests include:
- HRCT imaging of the lungs, which reveals scars and pleural plaques precisely
- Lung function tests, i.e. spirometry and diffusion capacity measurement
- Pleural biopsy when mesothelioma is suspected
- Thorough survey of work history to assess exposure
Compensation and occupational disease
If an asbestos disease is found and its likely cause is occupational exposure, the disease can be recognized as an occupational disease. Recognition of an occupational disease brings with it compensation from accident insurance and coverage of treatment costs. Kela and the occupational pension system also provide support when the ability to work is reduced. An occupational disease report is made by a doctor, and the process should be started as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.
Prevention is the most effective protection
Since there is no cure for asbestos diseases, the best protection is to avoid further exposure. Renovation and removal work in houses built before 1994 always require an asbestos survey in accordance with the law. If you suspect material at home or on the job site, asbestos survey and if necessary laboratory analysis will clear up the situation for sure. Read more about the health risks of asbestos or order a survey from our expert, before you start working on the old building.