Which Habit Can Increase the Likelihood of Contracting an Asbestos-Related Disease?
Most people know that breathing in asbestos fibres is dangerous. What far fewer appreciate is that certain everyday habits — above all, smoking — can dramatically increase the likelihood of contracting an asbestos-related disease. Understanding why this happens, and how your genetics interact with those habits, could genuinely save your life or the life of someone you work alongside.
Asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, do not affect everyone equally. Your genes, your lifestyle choices, and your level of exposure all combine to determine your personal risk. Here is what the science actually tells us — and what you can do about it.
Smoking: The Single Habit Most Likely to Increase Your Risk
If you work in a building or industry where asbestos exposure is possible, smoking is the one habit that multiplies your danger most significantly. On its own, asbestos exposure raises the risk of lung cancer. On its own, smoking raises the risk of lung cancer. Together, they do not simply add — they multiply.
Research consistently shows that people who both smoke and have been exposed to asbestos face a far greater risk of developing lung cancer than those exposed to only one of these hazards. The combination damages the body’s ability to repair broken DNA through two separate pathways simultaneously.
Why Smoking and Asbestos Are So Dangerous Together
Tobacco smoke harms the cells responsible for repairing damaged DNA. At the same time, asbestos fibres physically break DNA strands inside lung cells. When both are happening at once, the body simply cannot keep up with the repair work.
Smoking also impairs the cilia — the tiny hair-like structures that line the airways and help sweep inhaled particles out of the lungs. When cilia are damaged by tobacco smoke, asbestos fibres that would otherwise be cleared from the airways remain lodged in lung tissue for far longer, causing ongoing inflammation and cellular damage.
Specific genes are known to be affected by this combination. Studies have identified changes in genes including K-ras, p53, and FHIT in people exposed to both smoking and asbestos. These are genes that normally help regulate cell growth and suppress tumours — when they are damaged, cells can begin to multiply out of control.
How Asbestos Fibres Damage Your DNA
To understand why habits like smoking make things so much worse, it helps to understand how asbestos causes harm at the cellular level in the first place. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, the smallest ones travel deep into the lungs.
Many fibres contain iron, and this iron triggers the production of harmful molecules called free radicals — specifically, reactive oxygen species. These free radicals attack and break DNA strands inside cells.
Long asbestos fibres create a particular problem. The body’s immune system tries to engulf and remove foreign particles, but long fibres cannot be fully enclosed. This leads to frustrated phagocytosis — the immune cells keep trying and failing to remove the fibre, releasing more and more inflammatory chemicals in the process.
This chronic inflammation causes further DNA damage to surrounding cells. The result is a cycle of damage that continues as long as fibres remain in the lungs — which, in the case of asbestos, can be decades.
The Role of Genetics in Asbestos-Related Disease
Not everyone exposed to asbestos develops a related disease. Genetics plays a significant role in determining who is most vulnerable. Understanding your genetic predispositions does not change the fundamental advice — avoid exposure — but it does explain why some people are at greater risk than others.
Key Gene Mutations Associated with Asbestos Sensitivity
Scientists have identified several gene changes that make people more susceptible to asbestos-related illness:
- NF2 gene mutations: Around half of all mesothelioma cases show changes in the NF2 gene. This gene normally helps suppress tumour growth. When it is altered, the body loses an important line of defence against the damage caused by asbestos fibres.
- p53 gene changes: The p53 gene is one of the most important cancer-suppressing genes in the body. People with inherited changes to p53 — such as those with Li-Fraumeni syndrome — face a significantly elevated risk of developing mesothelioma following asbestos exposure.
- p16INK4a/p14ARF deletions: More than half of mesothelioma cases show missing sections in these genes. Their loss allows cells to grow too rapidly and prevents normal cell death, accelerating the development of disease.
Hereditary Predispositions and Family Risk
Some families carry genetic changes that make them more sensitive to asbestos without knowing it. If a parent carries a mutation in a gene like NF2 or p53, that change can be passed to children. This does not mean disease is inevitable, but it does mean that even relatively low levels of asbestos exposure could carry greater risk for certain individuals.
Genetic testing is now available and can help identify people who carry these higher-risk variants. If you have a family history of mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, it is worth discussing genetic screening with your GP.
Epigenetic Changes: How Asbestos Alters Gene Behaviour
Beyond direct genetic mutations, asbestos exposure can cause epigenetic changes — alterations in how genes behave without actually changing the underlying DNA sequence. This is an important and often overlooked aspect of how asbestos causes long-term harm.
DNA methylation involves the addition of small chemical tags to specific sections of genes. These tags can effectively switch genes on or off. In people exposed to asbestos, methylation patterns often change in ways that silence tumour-suppressing genes — removing the body’s natural brakes on uncontrolled cell growth. These changes can appear early, before disease is clinically detectable.
Histone modifications also play a role. DNA in our cells is wrapped around proteins called histones. Asbestos exposure disrupts these histone proteins in lung cells, making certain harmful genes more active while silencing protective ones. These changes can persist for a long time, contributing to ongoing dysfunction even after exposure has ended.
Non-coding RNA alterations represent a further mechanism. Small RNA molecules that do not produce proteins still play a critical role in regulating gene activity. Asbestos exposure alters the levels of these non-coding RNAs in the lungs, affecting how cells grow, divide, and die — helping to explain why some individuals develop disease following exposure whilst others do not.
Other Habits That Increase the Risk of Asbestos-Related Disease
Smoking is the most significant modifiable risk factor, but it is not the only habit worth examining when considering which habit can increase the likelihood of contracting an asbestos-related disease. Several other behaviours compound your risk in meaningful ways.
Poor Diet and Immune Function
A diet lacking in antioxidants leaves the body less equipped to neutralise the free radicals produced by asbestos fibres. Vitamins C and E, in particular, help counteract oxidative stress. While no diet can make asbestos exposure safe, maintaining good nutritional health supports the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption
Heavy alcohol use is known to impair immune function and DNA repair processes. For someone already exposed to asbestos, this adds another layer of vulnerability. The body’s capacity to identify and destroy abnormal cells is reduced when immune function is compromised.
Not Using Protective Equipment at Work
The habit of not wearing appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in environments where asbestos may be disturbed is one of the most direct ways to increase risk. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, employers are required to provide suitable protective equipment and training.
Workers who bypass or ignore these protections — even occasionally — significantly raise their cumulative exposure. Cumulative exposure matters enormously with asbestos; there is no safe threshold once fibres are lodged in lung tissue.
DIY Work in Older Properties
One of the most common — and most avoidable — sources of asbestos exposure in the UK today is unplanned DIY work in properties built before 2000. Drilling, sanding, or cutting into materials that contain asbestos releases fibres into the air without warning.
The habit of carrying out renovation work without first having a professional asbestos survey completed is a genuine risk factor that continues to cause serious harm across the country. If you own or manage a property in the capital, an asbestos survey London from a qualified surveyor will identify any asbestos-containing materials before work begins, protecting both tradespeople and occupants from unnecessary exposure.
Gene-Environment Interaction: When Habits and Genetics Combine
The most important insight from modern research into asbestos-related disease is that genetics and habits do not act independently — they interact. A person with a genetic predisposition who also smokes and works around asbestos without adequate protection faces a risk that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Studies of workers across different countries have illustrated this clearly. Research involving workers in Finland and Italy found that those carrying the NAT2 slow-acetylator gene variant responded differently to asbestos exposure depending on their working environment and other lifestyle factors — highlighting how genes, habits, and environmental context all interact in complex ways.
This is not a reason for fatalism. It is a reason to take every controllable factor seriously. The habits you can change remain the most powerful tools you have.
What This Means in Practice: Protecting Yourself and Others
Understanding the science of asbestos-related disease risk leads to practical, actionable conclusions. Here is what you can do right now:
- Stop smoking — or never start. This is the single most impactful lifestyle change for anyone who has been or may be exposed to asbestos. NHS Stop Smoking services are free and effective.
- Always use appropriate RPE when working in environments where asbestos may be present. Do not assume materials are safe — assume they are not until a survey confirms otherwise.
- Commission a professional asbestos survey before any renovation, refurbishment, or demolition work in a pre-2000 building. This applies to homes, commercial premises, and public buildings alike.
- Know your family history. If close relatives have had mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, discuss genetic screening with your GP.
- Maintain your general health. A well-functioning immune system and good nutritional status support the body’s natural defences against cellular damage.
- Report concerns at work. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and HSE guidance set out in HSG264, employers have legal duties to manage asbestos risk. If you believe these duties are not being met, you have the right to raise concerns with the HSE.
For property managers and landlords in the Midlands, an asbestos survey Birmingham can help you fulfil your legal duty to manage asbestos and protect the people who live and work in your buildings.
If you are responsible for commercial or residential properties in the north of England, an asbestos survey Manchester will give you the information you need to manage risk properly and comply with your legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
Early Detection and What to Watch For
Medical science is advancing rapidly in its ability to detect asbestos-related disease earlier. Blood tests looking for specific biomarkers — including proteins associated with mesothelioma — are becoming more sensitive and are increasingly used alongside imaging techniques to identify disease at a stage when treatment options are greater.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and you smoke or have smoked, it is worth discussing surveillance options with your GP. Early symptoms of asbestos-related disease can include:
- Persistent shortness of breath, particularly on exertion
- A chronic cough that does not resolve
- Chest pain or tightness
- Unexplained fatigue or weight loss
- Crackling sounds when breathing (detected by a doctor)
None of these symptoms on their own confirm an asbestos-related condition, but anyone with a known exposure history should not delay in seeking medical advice if they develop respiratory symptoms. The latency period for diseases like mesothelioma can be several decades, meaning symptoms may appear long after the original exposure.
Asbestos in UK Buildings: The Scale of the Risk
Asbestos was widely used in UK construction until it was fully banned in 1999. This means that a significant proportion of the UK’s housing stock and commercial building inventory still contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in some form. Artex ceilings, floor tiles, pipe lagging, roof sheets, and insulation boards are among the most common locations.
The risk from these materials is not automatic — undisturbed asbestos in good condition does not release fibres into the air. The danger arises when materials are damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed during maintenance and renovation work.
This is precisely why the habit of undertaking building work without first checking for asbestos is so significant. A single afternoon of unprotected drilling into an asbestos-containing ceiling could represent a meaningful exposure event — particularly for someone who also smokes or carries a genetic predisposition.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations place a duty on those responsible for non-domestic premises to manage asbestos risk. HSG264, the HSE’s guidance on asbestos surveying, sets out the standards that professional surveys must meet. Compliance is not optional — and beyond legal obligation, it is simply the responsible thing to do for anyone in your building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which habit can increase the likelihood of contracting an asbestos-related disease the most?
Smoking is by far the most significant habit that increases the likelihood of contracting an asbestos-related disease. When combined with asbestos exposure, smoking does not simply add to the risk — it multiplies it. Tobacco smoke impairs the cilia that clear fibres from the airways and damages the DNA repair mechanisms that would otherwise limit the harm caused by asbestos. Giving up smoking is the single most impactful lifestyle change a person with asbestos exposure history can make.
Does everyone exposed to asbestos develop a disease?
No. The majority of people exposed to asbestos do not go on to develop an asbestos-related disease. Risk depends on the level and duration of exposure, whether other risk factors such as smoking are present, and individual genetic factors. However, there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, and the risk increases with cumulative exposure — which is why avoiding unnecessary contact with asbestos-containing materials is always the right approach.
Can genetics alone cause asbestos-related disease?
Genetics alone does not cause asbestos-related disease — exposure to asbestos fibres is required. However, certain inherited gene mutations, such as changes to the NF2 or p53 genes, can make a person significantly more susceptible to developing disease following exposure. People with a family history of mesothelioma should discuss their risk with a GP and take particular care to avoid asbestos exposure.
Is DIY work in older homes a genuine asbestos risk?
Yes — unplanned DIY work in properties built before 2000 is one of the most common sources of avoidable asbestos exposure in the UK today. Drilling, cutting, or sanding materials that contain asbestos releases fibres without warning. Before undertaking any renovation work in an older property, a professional asbestos survey should be commissioned to identify any asbestos-containing materials and determine whether they are safe to work around.
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to asbestos?
If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos — particularly if you have smoked or have a family history of asbestos-related disease — speak to your GP as soon as possible. Inform them of the nature and approximate duration of the exposure. Your GP can advise on appropriate monitoring and refer you to a specialist if needed. Do not wait for symptoms to appear; many asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods and are more treatable when detected early.
Get Professional Asbestos Support from Supernova
At Supernova Asbestos Surveys, we have completed over 50,000 surveys across the UK, helping property owners, managers, and employers identify and manage asbestos risk before it becomes a danger to health. Our UKAS-accredited surveyors work to the standards set out in HSG264 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
Whether you need a management survey, a refurbishment and demolition survey, or specialist asbestos testing, our team is ready to help. Call us today on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to book a survey or request a quote.
Do not leave asbestos risk to chance — particularly if you or your workers may already carry other risk factors. The right survey, carried out by qualified professionals, gives you the information you need to protect everyone in your building.