A companion page deals with other occupational and environmental lung diseases .
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral, of which there are various types.
The fibres are very narrow and are therefore easily respirable. Their resistance to chemical dissolution means that they will persist for a long time - perhaps indefinitely once they have settled in the lung. Hazards and Risks A survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive indicated that in the UK the highest risk of asbestos related lung disease arises from insulation work. Epidemiologic work by Professor Peto has shown that in the first few years of the 21st century we can continue to expect a rise in the number of new cases of mesothelioma in Grat Britain. Asbestosis is often classified separately from pneumoconiosis even though asbestos is a dust - but it is a special form of fibrous dust.