According to IARC, there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen), and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary (8). In fact, it is thought that most mesotheliomas are due to asbestos exposure (9).
What health problems does asbestos cause?
- - Asbestosis – This condition is scarring on the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. ... - Pleural disease – This is another non-cancerous condition. ... - Lung cancer – This is the development of malignant tumors in the lungs. ... - Mesothelioma – This rare form of cancer is almost always linked to asbestos exposure, according to the CDC. ...
What can asbestos do to your health?
- - Incurable lung disease that makes breathing progressively more difficult - Usually caused by years of occupational asbestos exposure - Contributing cause of death for approximately 600 to more than 1,000 Americans each year - Signifies an elevated risk of developing asbestos-related cancer
What is asbestos and its health risks?
- Over decades, trapped asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scarring and eventually genetic damage. Exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and other health conditions. A rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes a progressive lung disease called asbestosis.
What are the side effects of being exposed to asbestos?
- The other side effects of exposure include loss of appetite, weight loss, and difficulty in swallowing. A patient might also find blood in the sputum being coughed up from the lungs. If this happens, there is a possibility that you already have an illness caused by asbestos exposure.