https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfBpDG3cVzA The Link Between Exposure to Asbestos and Diseases Medical research has linked exposure to asbestos with several non-cancerous and cancerous diseases. This includes lung cancer, pleural diseases and asbestosis. The exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed and release fibers into the air. These fibers are then inhaled or swallowed. It can take many years before symptoms begin to manifest. Signs and symptoms Inhaling asbestos can lead to lung diseases like pleural plaques and mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lungs. They can also cling to the cells that comprise the lungs and stay there for a long period of time. The majority times it takes a long time for these conditions to manifest after an asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be consumed in a variety of ways, for instance as when working with asbestos or during demolition or renovating a home. Asbestos-containing products can be agitated and release tiny fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibers, they travel through the mouth and nose and get carried into the lungs. They aren't able to be removed and so they get accumulated in the lungs causing irritation and scarring. The body attempts to eliminate the asbestos by creating more mucus, but this isn't always enough. People who have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos have more asbestos in their lungs than those who haven't. In the most severe instances of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma can develop. This rare cancer affects the lung linings and the lower digestive tract. Mesothelioma can trigger serious and fatal symptoms, like chest pain, breathing issues and coughing. It usually takes a long time for mesothelioma's growth to manifest and typically occurs after prolonged exposure to asbestos. The most common sign of asbestos exposure is lung disease, especially scarring of the lung (asbestosis). This makes it harder to get oxygen into and out of the lungs. It is often