The growth of abnormal cells, or tumors, can either stay in one place or spread to other parts of the body. Cancer also has a latency period, which is the time from when exposure starts until the cancer develops. It can take decades for cancer to develop. Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer. Mesothelioma has the longest latency period of all asbestos diseases, usually thirty to forty years.
Pleural plaques are the scarring of the thin lining that surrounds the lungs.
This condition can result in reduced lung function and those with pleural plaques also have an increased risk of getting cancer or asbestosis. Smoking and asbestos are a deadly mix. The risk of lung cancer is estimated to be 50 to 90 times higher than for those who not smoke and are not exposed to asbestos. Asbestos Building Materials Asbestos has been used in thousands of different products. Asbestos has been added to construction materials for fireproofing, insulation, to resist acids, and to make products stronger.