Why was asbestos a health hazard?

Asbestos fibres are extremely thin, and when they are inhaled, they can lodge deep in the lungs. Once in the lungs, they can cause inflammation and scarring. This can lead to a number of health problems, including:

* Asbestosis: a chronic, progressive scarring of the lungs.

* Mesothelioma: a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.

* Lung cancer.

* Other respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and emphysema.

Asbestos exposure can also cause cancers of the digestive system, such as stomach cancer and colon cancer.