What Is a Pleural Plaque?
Pleural plaque disease is a type of lung disease which can develop in the lungs of people who have been chronically exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was used widely in the twentieth century, particularly in construction, textile manufacturing, and ship-building. Asbestos is potentially toxic when inhaled, and can cause a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma, and a chronic lung disease called asbestosis. Pleural plaques may develop as a symptom of asbestosis, but may also form in the absence of any other type of lung disease.
