Asbestos is a very thin, fibrous mineral that is present naturally in the environment, according to Princeton University. It is not flammable and is a good insulator. Because of these attributes, asbestos was used in construction of commercial buildings and homes for many years, although its use is now prohibited. Airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, having multiple detrimental effects on health.
Asbestosis
One of the poisoning effects of inhaling asbestos fibers is asbestosis. After inhaling, these fibers become lodged in the lungs and cause chronic long-term lung inflammation. The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia describes how, over time, the inflammation causes the healthy tissue of the lung to be replaced with scar tissue. Scar tissue cannot perform the normal function of the lungs, which is to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Thus, people with asbestosis often have difficulty breathing, are short of breath and may have chest pain. Asbestosis caused by asbestos poisoning takes very long to appear: a person will not experience the symptoms of asbestosis for 20 year or longer after exposure, according to MedlinePlus. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of asbestos exposure developing into asbestosis.
Mesothelioma
The mesothelium is one of the layers of tissue that surrounds and protects some of the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when cells of this tissue become cancerous, meaning that the cells divide uncontrollably and do not die when they should. This type of cancer most commonly affects the mesothelium that lines lung tissue. MayoClinic.com notes that the symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain under the ribs, painful coughing, shortness of breath, lumps of tissue under the skin in the chest area and weight loss.
Mesothelial cells are particularly susceptible to the effects of asbestos poisoning. In fact, the NYU Cancer Institute reports that approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. MedlinePlus notes that mesothelioma may appear as soon as 20 years after asbestos exposure, but the NYU Cancer Institute adds that this disease may take as long as 50 years to develop.
Lung Cancer
Because the mesothelium that lines lung tissue is not technically part of the lung, doctors and researchers make a distinction between cancer of the mesothelium and lung cancer. Asbestos can also cause cancer of the lung tissue, notes Princeton University. In fact, cancer of the lung is the largest cause of death from asbestos poisoning. The symptoms of lung cancer include difficulty breathing, coughing, a hoarse voice and anemia.
