Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring minerals that consist of very fine microscopic fibers. The asbestos fibers are fire resistant and extremely durable. Asbestos becomes a health hazard when the microscopic fibers are inhaled into the lungs. Because of there size, shape and durability these fibers remain in the body for many years and can cause different diseases. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause severe disabling and sometimes fatal diseases.
Asbestos can cause malignant and non-malignant diseases.
It can develop in the pleura which is the outer lining of the lung, it can develop in the peritoneal which is the lining of the abdomen, and it can even develop in the tunica vaginalis which is the lining of the testes. Lung cancer can be caused by exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer can also be caused by smoking. The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is extremely dangerous as the two substances interact to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. Other cancers can also be caused by exposure to asbestos.