Pleural plaques are the most common condition associated with asbestos exposure. They are scarring of the lung tissue. Pleural plaques are smooth, white, raised irregular areas of fibrous collagen tissue that develop on the thin covering that protects the lungs called ‘pleura’. They vary in size from small to large, and are usually found by chance on a chest x-ray.
Like other asbestos-related conditions, pleural plaques develop many years after asbestos exposure. The exposure to asbestos may have been low and intermittent.
Pleural plaques are seen as the least serious form of asbestos disease and are not in themselves dangerous. However, they are an indicator of exposure to asbestos and there is a small chance, because of that exposure, that you may develop one of the other types of asbestos disease in the future.
Signs and Symptoms
Pleural plaques do not usually cause symptoms or physical impairment. Although they may slightly affect some lung function tests, you are unlikely to experience any symptoms of breathlessness or discomfort because of them.
Pleural plaques do not require treatment, but their presence should prompt regular medical check-ups because they are an indication of exposure to asbestos (and thus indicate an increased risk of its associated diseases).
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, please contact our solicitors or fill in our online claim form to discuss your own case and our team will guide you through the claims process.
