Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals with long, thin fibers. It was once used widely as insulation. It also occurs in the environment. Asbestos fibers are so small you can't see them. Disturbing asbestos can cause fibers to float in the air. When this happens, they are easy to inhale. You breathe out most fibers, but some become lodged in the lungs. Over time, they can build up in the lungs, causing scarring and inflammation. This can eventually affect breathing and lead to disease, such as

·         Asbestosis, or scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe.

·         Mesothelioma , a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen.

·         Lung cancer

Lung diseases associated with asbestos usually takes many years to develop. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk.

Digital chest x-ray following asbestos exposure showing the complications that can occur in the lungs. The left side is abnormal with extensive concentric thickening of the pleura and an associated left pleural effusion due to malignant mesothelioma. Associated with chest pain and breathlessness

Axial CT scan through the thorax after intravenous contrast showing the complications which may occur with asbestos exposure. There is extensive left pleural thickening and left pleural fluid due to advanced mesothelioma. Bilateral pleural plaques, some calcified on the left are also seen.