What are the diseases caused by asbestos exposure?
Once inhaled, the small asbestos fibers can penetrate the body’s defenses. Because inhaled asbestos fibers remain in the body, each exposure increases the likelihood of developing one or more of the following diseases: Asbestosis: A chronic lung ailment caused by the build up of scar tissue inside the lungs. Asbestosis can cause shortness of breath, permanent lung damage, and increases the risk of lung infections. Asbestosis is not usually of concern to people exposed to low levels of asbestos. Mesothelioma: An asbestos caused cancer of the chest cavity lining or abdominal cavity. These diseases do not develop immediately following exposure to asbestos, but appear only after a number of years. Members of the public who are exposed to lower levels of asbestos may also have increased chances of getting cancer, but the risks are usually small and are difficult to measure directly. Other cancers: Cancer of the lung, esophagus, stomach, colon, and pancreas. There is also some evidence from
