Category: Asbestos

Inhaled asbestos fibers are so small that they can enter your lungs without you realizing it. Asbestos then causes scar tissue and inflammation in the lungs, which gets stiff and decreases the ability of your lungs to take in oxygen. This is called pulmonary fibrosis or asbestosis. The scarring process can take years to develop, but once it’s there you’ll have breathing problems for life unless you receive treatment.

Asbestos can affect your health in multiple ways. People who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos over long periods of time are at an increased risk for lung cancer, mesothelioma and other types of cancers. Asbestos related lung cancer is usually diagnosed later in life, but it’s important to know that even low levels of exposure can still put you at risk for developing this type of cancer later on.

Asbestos-containing materials are either friable or non-friable. Friable asbestos is high risk. It’s the type of asbestos that’s easily crumbled or can be powdered into dust. Non-friable asbestos is a type of asbestos that once was widely used in construction and other materials, but isn’t as dangerous because it doesn’t break down easily (or at all) into tiny fibers like friable types do.

While the word “asbestos” may make you think of cancer, there are actually six different types of asbestos. The most common form is chrysotile, but there are also other forms that have been used in products including floor tiles and pipe insulation. Fibrous chrysotile asbestos accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all asbestos that is used commercially in the world.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral made up of several types of rock-forming minerals. Asbestos was widely used as insulation from the 1950s to 1970s, especially in older homes and apartment buildings with steam heat. If you suspect there may be asbestos in your house, do not disturb it.