Asbestos is a long, thin, fibrous mineral found in such products as vinyl floor tiles, cement and insulation. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause cancer and other lung problems when inhaled. Its tiny fibers are difficult to remove from the lungs and complications of asbestos exposure may not even appear until 30 years after initial asbestos exposure. Chronic exposure to asbestos can lead to serious long-term effects.
Asbestosis
Long-term asbestos exposure may lead to a chronic breathing disorder called asbestosis where asbestos fibers damage and cause scarring and stiffness of your lung tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic, you may experience shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain and finger deformities (clubbing).
Lung Cancer
According to ATSDR, asbestos exposure can increase your chances of developing lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer include trouble breathing, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), wheezing, unexplained weight loss, hoarseness and anemia (low red blood cell counts).
Pulmonary Hypertension
The Mayo Clinic states that scar tissue as a result of asbestos exposure can lead to high blood pressure in your lungs. This occurs because the scarred tissue from your lungs can compress your lung's blood vessels.
Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure can also lead to mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin layer of tissue lining the stomach, heart, lungs and other organs. It may cause pain at the side of the chest, weight loss, cough, fatigue and swelling of the arms and face.
Effects on Your Heart
According to the Mayo Clinic, long-term asbestos exposure can lead to heart problems, including cor pulmonale (failure of the right side of the heart). As a result, the heart will be unable to pump adequate amounts of blood to the rest of the body.
