TabletWise.com
 

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals with long, thin fibers. It was once used widely as insulation. It also occurs in the environment. Asbestos fibers are so small you can't see them. If you disturb asbestos, the fibers can float in the air. This makes them easy to inhale, and some may become lodged in the lungs.

If you breathe in high levels of asbestos over a long period of time, the fibers can build up in the lungs. This causes scarring and inflammation, and can affect breathing. Eventually it can lead to diseases such as

  • Asbestosis, or scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe
  • Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen
  • Lung cancer

Lung diseases associated with asbestos usually develop over many years. People who become ill from asbestos are usually exposed on the job over long periods of time. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Asbestos.

Related Topics

Mesothelioma

Sign Up



Share

Share with friends, get 20% off
Invite your friends to TabletWise learning marketplace. For each purchase they make, you get 20% off (upto $10) on your next purchase.