Inhaling or ingesting asbestos can have deadly consequences. The particles can get lodged in the body’s internal tissues – particularly the lining that surrounds organs such as the lungs and heart. They will stay there for decades, with no treatment or surgery able to extract them. Over time, the particles can irritate the tissues enough to create a tumor that can become cancerous. This type of cancer is known as mesothelioma.
Even if asbestos does not cause mesothelioma, it can have other negative health consequences, such as asbestosis. This is a condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and a tight feeling in the chest from inflammation and scar tissue in the lungs. Anyone exposed to any amount of asbestos, even a small amount, could be a risk of serious illnesses. This includes people who live with someone who has been exposed to asbestos.