Impact of Asbestos Toxicity on Human Health

SLE312 Toxicology – Report Assignment
Name of the Student:
Name of the University

TOXICOLOGY
1. Methodology
Impact of toxicity of Asbestos on Human Being
Asbestos falls under a class of minerals that takes the form of thin crystal fibres.
Asbestos has some notable physical properties that made it suitable for application in
a wide variety of industries particularly in the construction and automobile industries.
There are six types of Asbestos found in different places such as chrysotile, amosite,
tremolite, actinolite, crocidolite and anthophyllite. Some of them have similar
properties, some are different. Scientific research in recent years has shown exposure
to toxicity in all types. Health organisations all over the world have agreed on the
carcinogenicity of asbestos resulting in strict regulations on its use.
Identification of stakeholder(s) and explanation of why they are interested
Though asbestos creates health hazard among all types of people but we shall
consider particularly children as the stakeholder and discuss about the concern that
arises with asbestos exposure in the short and long term perspective (Frank and Joshi,
2014). Studies have pointed out that long-term exposure to asbestos may cause
symptoms such as the malignant mesothelioma. This means that the children and their
parents must be concerned about the long-term exposure to asbestos. While it is
important to mention that there are even other health issues arising from short-term
exposure to asbestos and that they are chest pain and breathing problems (Oury, Sporn
and Roggli 2014).
Description of methodology to conduct toxicity of asbestos on human body
Tests conducted in the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases include chest
radiography and tests on pulmonary function .For further diagnosis of disease related
to asbestos toxicity for further probing Blood culture, Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL),

TOXICOLOGY
computed tomography (CT) , colon cancer screening, high resolution CT( HRCT)
and biopsy of lung.
Screening for lung function is useful for obtaining limiting deficiencies associated
with the most common asbestosis. The results may also have a reduction of the forced
vital capacity (FVC) with a normal forced expiratory volume (FEV) in FEV1 / FVC
ratio per second. The chest x-ray is mainly used to find, locate and find out the
amount of structural changes due to asbestos-induced breast diseases (non-malignant
pleural disease, asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer).
According to the American Thoracic Society's diagnostic criterion the diagnosis of
asbestosis should be based on radiographic findings. In 10% to 15% of cases,
abnormality of lung function associated with asbestos can occur without significant
radiological change. The diagnostic accuracy can be improved using pleural
thickening and calcification with interstitial changes.
2. Preliminary Report
According to U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Register (ATSDR) and
the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), asbestos exposure
is a matter of concern for various workplaces and processes. Asbestos is a
carcinogenic substance for humans. The exposure of large numbers of people had
been the persons who worked in the construction of buildings and mines. However,
asbestos exposure has implications not only for asbestos workers, but also for their
families and users of asbestos products, because it has been exposed to building
materials and in heating and ventilation systems. The long-term exposure to asbestos
has a lasting impact on human health. Asbestos fibres can be easily inhaled and
brought to the lower regions of the lung (Nielsen et al., 2014) where they can cause