Both types are usually fatal, and develop over a number of years. Breathing asbestos can also cause an accumulation of scar-like tissue in the lungs and in the membrane surrounding the lungs. This tissue does not expand and contract like normal lung tissue, making breathing difficult. Blood flow to the lungs may also decline, causing heart enlargement. When the injury is mostly in the lungs, the disease is called asbestosis.
Copper is a reddish metal that occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, plants, sediment, and air.
It is an essential element for all living organisms. Copper is most commonly found in pennies, electrical wiring, and some water pipes. It is also found in many alloys, such as brass and bronze. Copper is extensively mined and processed and is primarily used as a metal or alloy in making wire, sheet metal, pipe, and other metal products. Copper compounds are most commonly used in agriculture to treat plant diseases, for water treatment, and as preservatives for wood, leather, and fabrics.