Asbestos is a toxic material that can cause significant health risks for people who are exposed to it. The hazardous properties of asbestos result from its microscopic fibers, which can easily become airborne and be inhaled by humans.

Once these fibers are inhaled, they can lodge themselves in the lungs and other organs, leading to scarring and damage that can result in cancer or other diseases. Even a small exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, and the risk of these problems increases with time.

Some of the most common health problems caused by asbestos exposure include:

• Asbestosis: a chronic lung disease that can cause breathing problems and severe coughing.

• Pleural thickening: a condition where the lining around the lungs becomes thicker, making it difficult to breathe.

• Lung cancer: a type of cancer that develops in the lungs and is associated with high levels of asbestos exposure.

• Mesothelioma: a rare cancer that affects the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities and is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.