UKATA Health Risks — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is mesothelioma?
- A benign lung condition caused by dust
- A cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure (Correct answer)
- A temporary respiratory infection
- An allergic reaction to asbestos fibres
Correct answer: A cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium (the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart) that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. It is always fatal, with most patients surviving less than 12 months from diagnosis.
Question 2: Approximately how many people die each year in the UK from asbestos-related diseases?
- Around 500
- Around 2,500
- Around 5,000 (Correct answer)
- Around 10,000
Correct answer: Around 5,000
Approximately 5,000 people die each year in the UK from asbestos-related diseases, making it the single greatest cause of work-related deaths. This number is expected to remain high for many years due to the long latency period.
Question 3: What is the typical latency period for asbestos-related diseases to develop after initial exposure?
- 1-5 years
- 5-10 years
- 15-60 years (Correct answer)
- Over 100 years
Correct answer: 15-60 years
Asbestos-related diseases typically take 15-60 years to develop after initial exposure. This long latency period means that people exposed decades ago may only now be developing symptoms.
Question 4: What is asbestosis?
- A type of lung cancer
- A scarring of the lung tissue caused by inhaling asbestos fibres (Correct answer)
- An infection caused by asbestos
- A skin condition from handling asbestos
Correct answer: A scarring of the lung tissue caused by inhaling asbestos fibres
Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition where inhaled asbestos fibres cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue. This reduces the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen, causing breathlessness and, in severe cases, can be fatal.
Question 5: Which of the following is true about the health effects of asbestos exposure?
- Only prolonged heavy exposure causes health problems
- There is a known safe level of asbestos exposure
- There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure (Correct answer)
- Health effects only occur in people over 50
Correct answer: There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure
There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. While the risk increases with greater exposure, even brief low-level exposure can potentially cause disease. This is why the Control of Asbestos Regulations are so strict.
Question 6: Pleural plaques caused by asbestos exposure are best described as:
- Cancerous growths on the lungs
- Areas of thickened tissue on the lung lining (Correct answer)
- Holes in the lung tissue
- Infections in the airways
Correct answer: Areas of thickened tissue on the lung lining
Pleural plaques are areas of thickened, sometimes calcified tissue on the pleura (lung lining). While they are evidence of past asbestos exposure, they are not cancerous themselves and usually do not cause symptoms.
UKATA Health Risks
What is mesothelioma?