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Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral.
It is extremely durable, heat-resistant, and an excellent insulator (cancer.gov, WHO).
Historically, asbestos was widely used in:
Construction (cement, roofing)
Shipbuilding (insulation)
Manufacturing (brake pads, textiles)
Inhaled asbestos fibers cause chronic lung inflammation and fibrosis (scarring and stiffening of lung tissue).
Diseases linked to asbestos exposure include:
Asbestosis (progressive lung scarring)
Lung cancer
Malignant mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) (cancer.gov, Ma et al., 2022)
All forms of asbestos are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
| Category | Disease | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Benign | Asbestosis | Chronic pulmonary fibrosis; progressive dyspnea and lung scarring. |
| Pleural Plaques | Localized fibrosis of pleura; benign, asymptomatic marker of exposure. | |
| Diffuse Pleural Thickening | Widespread pleural fibrosis; may restrict lung expansion and cause breathlessness. | |
| Benign Asbestos Pleural Effusion (BAPE) | Early asbestos manifestation; pleural effusion without cancer; needs monitoring. | |
| Cancerous | Malignant Mesothelioma | Aggressive pleural/peritoneal cancer; asbestos is the main cause; poor prognosis. |
| Asbestos-related Lung Cancer | Bronchogenic carcinoma; asbestos exposure plus smoking greatly ↑ risk. |
Types of Asbestos
| Mineral Family | Example Types | Fiber Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Serpentine | Chrysotile ("white asbestos") | Long, curly fibers |
| Amphibole | Amosite ("brown"), Crocidolite ("blue") | Straight,... |
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