Even though asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once popular in construction, it is now recognized as an extremely toxic substance. Prolonged asbestos exposure can cause severe health issues. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they cannot be removed from the lungs and, over time, can cause inflammation and scarring. All of this can lead to respiratory diseases, cancers, and other health problems.
Exposure to asbestos can cause some serious health problems, like:
- Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Over time, these fibers cause scarring in the lungs which makes it harder to breathe. Eventually, it can even lead to respiratory failure.
- Lung Cancer is common with smokers but asbestos exposure only increases the risk of developing this type of cancer. Symptoms may include persistent coughing, chest pain, and weight loss, and it is lethal if not diagnosed early.
- Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It may take years for the symptoms to appear after exposure which makes early detection quite challenging. Mesothelioma can not be treated at the moment and the survival rate is typically 4 to 18 months after diagnosis.