Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found in rocks and soil. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance, asbestos has been used in a wide variety of building materials and other commercial products for insulation and as a fire retardant. Old and brittle asbestos products can release tiny, even microscopic, fibers. These fibers can remain suspended in the air and enter your lungs when you inhale, which can cause lung damage, including cancer. Because of its health risks, asbestos manufacture and use are now regulated by the federal government.

Asbestos and health impact

When inhaling asbestos, tiny fibers enter the air passages. The body’s natural defenses remove most of these fibers. The majority will be carried away or coughed up in a layer of mucus that protects your lungs. However, some fibers may bypass those defenses and lodge deep within the lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed. Most of the harmful impacts of asbestos will not be seen immediately and they often develop years after exposure occurs.

Inhaling asbestos fibers increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lungs and other organs. The risk depends on how much it is inhaled, how long ago the person is exposed and whether it has a smoking history. Smoking cigarettes, combined with asbestos exposure, increase the chances of developing lung cancer.

Symptoms associated with asbestos exposure include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Wheezing.
• Chronic cough.
• Chest pain.
• Swelling in the face.
• Difficulty swallowing.