Are there medical tests to determine exposure?
Anyone frequently exposed to asbestos on the job should have regular medical exams. The worker should discuss his or her work history with a physician, and the examination should include a complete medical history, physical examination, and possible a chest x-ray and lung function test. The most common test used to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos is a chest x-ray. The x-ray cannot detect the asbestos fibers themselves, but can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. However, since lung disease caused by asbestos may take many years to develop, x-rays cannot detect recent asbestos exposure. While other substances besides asbestos can sometimes produce similar changes in the lungs, this test is usually reliable for detecting asbestos-related effects. The examination should also assess for other diseases that may mimic the symptoms of asbestosis, especially other lung and heart conditions. There are no simple blood or urine tests for asbestos.
