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Understanding Asbestos Exposure: How Much is Dangerous for Your Health?

Written by:

Katie Ferrier

August 27, 2024

Asbestos, a once-common building material, is now recognised as a serious health hazard. Despite its ban in Australia decades ago, exposure to asbestos remains a significant concern. Understanding the risks associated with asbestos is crucial for protecting your health as well as the health of those around you.

In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of asbestos, common exposure scenarios, and the potential health consequences. We’ll also discuss the legal implications of asbestos exposure and the steps you can take to seek compensation if necessary.

Quick Links

What is asbestos and where might I be exposed?
How much exposure to asbestos is dangerous?
Common questions relating to asbestos exposure
I’m unwell due to asbestos exposure. Am I entitled to compensation?

Case study: A father’s asbestos exposure
The personal injury claim legal process
Book your free consultation with a GMP Law personal injury solicitor

What is asbestos and where might I be exposed?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals known for their fire-resistant and insulating properties. Due to these qualities, asbestos was widely used in construction and manufacturing materials, such as insulation, flooring, roofing, and pipe coatings.

Exposure risks

You may be exposed to asbestos if you:

Work or live near buildings constructed before the 1980s: These buildings often contain asbestos-containing materials.
Are involved in renovations or demolitions of older structures: Disturbing these structures can release asbestos fibres into the air leading to potential exposure.

Occupational exposure

Occupational exposure to asbestos remains a significant concern, especially for individuals working in industries where asbestos was commonly used before its ban.

Jobs with a higher risk of exposure include:

Construction
Shipyard docks
Manufacturing
Maintenance.

Due to the lengthy latency period of dust-related diseases and the fact that asbestos mining was only banned in 1983, we continue to see numerous compensation claims from individuals suffering from occupational exposure.

Non-occupational exposure

Interestingly, as of 2022, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2022 report on Mesothelioma in Australia indicates that non-occupational asbestos exposure now surpasses occupational exposure in terms of prevalence. This highlights the importance of being aware of asbestos exposure in both workplace and non-workplace settings.

Research conducted at asbestos cement factories in Casale Monferrato (Italy), Manville (New Jersey, USA) and Yorkshire (UK) has demonstrated that living within a half kilometer of an asbestos plant significantly increases the risk of exposure and the likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases.

How much exposure to asbestos is dangerous?

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. But, some factors could make your exposure more dangerous for your health.

The risk of asbestos-related health problems is influenced by both the amount and duration of exposure. Even low levels of asbestos exposure can be hazardous, but the danger increases significantly with higher levels and prolonged exposure.

In cases involving people who mined asbestos at places like Wittenoom, insulated pipes with it, or worked with asbestos sheets, establishing a link between their exposure and the later onset of a dust disease has been fairly straightforward. This is because their regular and significant exposure makes it easier to trace the origin of their illnesses.

However, there have also been instances where family members of these workers—such as wives washing work clothes or children hugging their fathers upon returning from work—have also developed asbestos-related diseases. These cases demonstrate that even indirect exposure can lead to serious health issues.

Any contact with asbestos, whether direct or indirect, carries a risk of serious and potentially fatal diseases. It’s important to take all necessary precautions to minimise exposure and protect your health.

Short-term vs. Long-term exposure

The health risks associated with asbestos exposure depend largely on the duration and intensity of exposure:

Short-term exposure: Brief encounters with high levels of asbestos, such as during an industrial accident, can still pose health risks. While immediate symptoms might not be apparent, such exposure can contribute to long-term health issues. Short-term asbestos exposure, lasting less than a few days, typically poses a low health risk.
Long-term exposure: Prolonged asbestos exposure, as is the case for occupational exposure, is significantly more dangerous. Chronic exposure heightens the risk of developing severe diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. The risk increases with both the duration and intensity of exposure. Workers in the construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing industries are especially vulnerable due to their extended asbestos exposure.

Dangers and risks associated with asbestos exposure

Asbestos fibres are microscopic and can become airborne when disturbed. Inhalation of these fibres is the primary route of exposure. Once inhaled, the fibres can become lodged in the lungs or other parts of the respiratory system, leading to inflammation and scarring. This chronic irritation increases the risk of developing serious health conditions.

How asbestos exposure affects your health

Asbestos-related diseases often develop slowly, and symptoms may not appear until many years after exposure. Common health issues associated with asbestos include:

Asbestosis	A chronic lung disease characterised by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Asbestosis often leads to a progressive decline in lung function.
Pleural disease	This non-cancerous lung condition affects the membranes surrounding the lungs and chest cavity. It causes these membranes to thicken, which can impair respiratory function by reducing the efficiency of the chest’s ability to expand and contract.
Lung cancer	Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in smokers. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, and unexplained weight loss.
Mesothelioma	This is a rare but aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, while peritoneal mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.

Guidance on symptoms

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and experience any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek medical evaluation:

Persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Chest or abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty breathing.

Early detection is crucial for managing asbestos-related diseases, so regular medical check-ups and monitoring are recommended for individuals with known asbestos exposure.

Want to learn more about Dust Disease Claims?

> LINK TO Downloadable Guide

Common questions relating to asbestos exposure

Whether you’re concerned about past exposure or seeking guidance on current safety measures, these answers will provide valuable insights into protecting yourself and others from the dangers of asbestos.

What is the safe exposure limit for asbestos?

According to SafeWork Australia in their 2024, ‘Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants,’ the asbestos exposure limit is 0.1 fibres per millilitre (f/mL) of air over an 8-hour workday.

The same limit applies to all types of asbestos—including Amosite, Chrysotile, and Crocidolite—because they all pose similar health risks.

What causes asbestos to be dangerous?

Asbestos poses a danger because its fibres can become airborne and inhaled. Once inside the lungs, these fibres can cause serious health problems, including respiratory diseases and cancer, due to their ability to irritate and damage lung tissue over time.

Is one-time exposure to asbestos dangerous?

A single, brief exposure to asbestos is generally considered to have a lower risk compared to long-term, high-level exposures. However, no level of exposure is completely risk-free.

The danger increases with the duration and intensity of exposure, and even a single exposure can contribute to long-term health risks, especially if the asbestos exposure was significant.

Is exposure to some types of asbestos more dangerous than others?

Yes, some types of asbestos are considered more dangerous than others.

There are six main types of asbestos, with chrysotile (white asbestos) being the most commonly used and less hazardous compared to amphibole asbestos types like crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos).

Amphibole asbestos types are generally associated with a higher risk of lung diseases and cancers due to their longer, more rigid fibres that can penetrate lung tissue more deeply and remain there longer.

How can you know if you have asbestos exposure?

Knowing if you’ve been exposed to asbestos can be challenging without a clear history of exposure.

If you suspect exposure, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional who can review your medical and occupational history to assess your risk. In some cases, doctors might use imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans to check for signs of asbestos-related diseases, but these are usually more indicative of long-term exposure rather than a single incident.

How long after exposure to asbestos do symptoms appear?

Asbestos-related diseases often have long latency periods, meaning symptoms can take many years to develop after exposure.

Asbestosis	Symptoms typically appear 10 to 30 years after exposure.
Mesothelioma	Symptoms can take 20 to 60 years to develop.
Lung cancer	The latency period for lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure is generally between 10 to 40 years.

It’s important to note that these are average timelines, and individual experiences may vary.

What should you do if you’ve been exposed to asbestos?

If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos, here are some steps to take:

Seek medical advice: Consult a healthcare professional to assess your risk and discuss any symptoms you might have.
Monitor your health: Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect potential issues early.
Avoid further exposure: If you work in an environment with asbestos, follow all safety regulations and use appropriate protective equipment.
Dispose of contaminated clothing: Carefully remove and dispose of any clothing or personal protective equipment that may have come into contact with asbestos. Place these items in a sealed, labelled bag and dispose of them at an authorised waste facility.
Report exposure: Inform your employer or relevant authorities about the exposure if it occurred in a workplace setting.

I’m unwell due to asbestos exposure. Am I entitled to compensation?

If you’ve become unwell due to asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for compensation.

A key factor in determining your eligibility is duty of care.

Employers and manufacturers have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment and prevent exposure to harmful substances like asbestos. If they failed to fulfill this duty, and your illness resulted from this negligence, you may have grounds for a claim.

Proving a breach of duty of care is crucial for seeking compensation.

You have two main avenues to pursue compensation in Australia: personal injury claims and workers’ compensation.

Personal injury claims

Scope	Applicable to a wider range of situations, including exposure from non-workplace settings.
Process	Involves proving negligence on the part of the responsible party, usually with the guidance and support of a qualified dust disease lawyer.
Potential compensation	Can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future losses. The average compensation for pain and suffering in mesothelioma personal injury claims is approximately half a million dollars.

Workers’ compensation

Scope	Specifically designed for workplace injuries and illnesses.
Process	Typically involves filing a claim with the relevant workers’ compensation authority.
Potential compensation	Can include medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.

Find out how much you can claim today.

Call 1800 004 878

Case study: A father’s asbestos exposure

A recent case run by our firm highlights the devastating consequences of asbestos exposure, even when the contact is limited and seemingly insignificant.

The case

A man was unknowingly exposed to asbestos while breaking up some asbestos fibro to throw in a trailer destined for the rubbish tip. Despite the limited exposure, he later developed mesothelioma. The latency period for this disease can be decades, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source of exposure.

Legal challenges

The man initially approached another law firm but was turned away.

GMP Law stepped in, determined to help him seek justice. We conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing the man, his family, and his former colleagues to identify potential sources of exposure.

Despite the challenges posed by the limited exposure and passage of time, we successfully built a compelling case. The Dust Diseases Tribunal found in favour of our client, awarding substantial compensation to his family.

The importance of legal action

This case underscores the importance of seeking legal advice if you suspect asbestos exposure. Even a brief exposure can have serious health consequences. Our firm specialises in asbestos claims and is committed to helping victims obtain the compensation they deserve.

The personal injury claim legal process

Navigating the legal process for a personal injury claim can be complex. But, having a qualified dust disease lawyer by your side can make a significant difference.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:

Gathering evidence: Your lawyer will help you collect medical records, witness statements, and other relevant documentation to support your claim.
Negotiation: In many cases, your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the opposing party. This can save time and potentially lead to a faster resolution.
Mediation: If negotiations fail, mediation may be considered. This involves a neutral third party who helps the parties reach an agreement.
Litigation: If mediation is unsuccessful, the case may proceed to court. Your lawyer will represent you throughout the legal proceedings, advocating for your rights and seeking a favourable outcome.

Book your free consultation with a GMP Law personal injury solicitor

Our skilled team of personal injury lawyers can provide invaluable guidance and support throughout the legal process.

We will:

Assess your case: Determine if you have a valid claim and the potential compensation.
Calculate your damages: Help you calculate the full extent of your losses, including quantifying your pain and suffering.
Negotiate with the opposing party: Seek a fair settlement without the need for lengthy litigation.
Represent you in court: If necessary, advocate for your rights and argue your case.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced team at GMP Law for a free consultation. We can assess your case and provide you with the guidance and support you need.

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Author

Katie Ferrier

Senior Associate

With seven years of legal experience, Katie Ferrier specialises in Dust Disease and Medical Negligence claims. Katie combines a rigorous analytical approach with deep empathy to achieve optimal outcomes for clients impacted by negligence.

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