Asbestos Exposure & Lung Cancer

Asbestos was commonly used as building insulation in the United States prior to the 1960s. Proof that asbestos dust increases the risk of developing lung cancer has nearly abolished the use of asbestos in the United States; however, according to the American Cancer Society, existing asbestos still poses a threat.

Asbestos Definition

• Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that occur in nature. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is resistant to temperature change and does not conduct electricity.

Asbestos Use

• According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), because asbestos is resistant to fire and provided protection against environmental temperature changes, it was commonly used to insulate buildings and to make many textiles and other products.

Exposure

• When asbestos is damaged, asbestos fibers are released in asbestos dust. According to the ACS, when asbestos dust is inhaled or swallowed, the fibers enter the body.

Asbestosis

• According to the Mayo Clinic, asbestos fibers are not easily broken down by the body and can accumulate in the lungs, causing asbestosis, a breathing disorder characterized by scarred lung tissue and shortness of breath. According to the ACS, about one in seven people with asbestosis will develop lung cancer.

Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma

• According to the Mayo Clinic, pleural malignant mesothelioma is a rare from of lung cancer that occurs in the thin tissue surrounding the lungs. Exposure to asbestos over long periods of time is the most common cause of mesothelioma.