What it is
Asbestos is a group of minerals with long, thin fibers — too small to see. It was once widely used as insulation, and it also occurs naturally in the environment.
How it harms
- Disturbed asbestos releases fibers that float in the air.
- They are easy to breathe in, and some lodge in the lungs.
- Breathing high levels over a long time lets fibers build up, causing scarring and inflammation that can affect breathing.
Diseases it can cause
- Asbestosis — scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe;
- Mesothelioma — a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen;
- Lung cancer.
These diseases usually take many years to develop.
Who is at risk
- People who get sick from asbestos were usually exposed at work, over long periods.
- Smoking raises the risk.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Asbestos," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
许可协议： CC0 1.0（公有领域） · 改编自 medlineplus.gov
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