Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally. It can resist temperatures and acts as a good insulator. It can be made into various forms and so it can be found in many materials.
What most people don't know is that, this material is potentially dangerous to health. Exposure to asbestos can cause many serious diseases. Risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma greatly increases on account of substantial exposure to asbestos of any form.
Non-malignant lung diseases such as asbestosis and pleural conditions such as pleural thickening, pleural plaques and pleural effusions can also be caused. It is a deadly carcinogen that results in numerous deaths. As it is being used in many forms and in various materials, asbestos can be easily found at home or at workplace.
Diseases can take long time to show up after the exposure to asbestos, even as long as 15 years or more. Mesothelioma can take 30 years or more to develop after the initial asbestos exposure. Find out more about risk factors of asbestos in this infographic.