Asbestos and Lung Cancer: How They’re Connected?

What You Need to Know

have been partners for the past 100 years. Most people who have contracted mesothelioma have had occupations where they were exposed to and inhaled asbestos fibers and dust particles. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which can be either benign or malignant. It is located in the mesothelium which is a thin protective tissue covering most internal organs of the body. The only known cause of mesothelioma results from exposure to and inhalation of asbestos particles floating in the air.

Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, a chronic non-cancerous progressive lung disease, can result from the inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust over the long term. Even though have had a known association for decades, new cases of asbestos-caused cancer continue to appear every year.

Asbestos is most commonly found in the mining, milling, manufacturing, application, or removal of asbestos products. Asbestos was banned from use decades ago, but still exists in products produced before they were banned. The risk of developing a progressive lung disease, lung cancer, or mesothelioma is related to the total lifetime exposure to asbestos fibers.

What is asbestos and where can you find it?

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are resistant to heat and chemicals. They are fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate and found in fire-retardant products, electrical insulation, cement, roof shingles, acoustic and decorative ceiling plaster, and other building materials. When tiny asbestos dust or fibers become airborne due to removal, repair, or from being disturbed, they can be deeply inhaled into the lungs, causing mesothelioma, lung cancer and progressive lung disease.

Is this Toxic Material in Your Home?

Do you know if your home has ? Is there asbestos in your floor tiles, acoustic or decorative ceiling or wall plaster, electrical insulation, or other products used to build you house? Before starting any remodeling, repairs, or replacements it is important to know the answers to these questions. Disturbing any building materials that contain asbestos can release asbestos fibers and dust particles into the air where they can be deeply inhaled. This can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung tumor.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs they will cause the body to send immune system cells to its defense. Unfortunately, while trying to rid the body of these toxic fibers the immune cells will die. Over time scar tissue will grow around the dead cells, eventually producing so much scar tissue the lungs will stop working. Identifying and safely removing or containing products made with asbestos must be done before any work or repairs are started. Asbestos removal cost is not cheap, but is a small price to pay for eliminating this hazard in your home.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found all over the world. It is found in an estimated two-thirds of all rocks in the earth’s crust. Naturally-occurring fibers are released into the environment due to erosion. An average person will inhale about 10,000 to 15,000 asbestos fibers each day. Although this sounds like a lot it is not considered a health hazard. However, exposure to greater levels can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma.