Asbestos is a type of fibrous material that is strong and can be incorporated into a wide variety of objects. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers can be inhaled and cause certain kinds of cancer, including mesothelioma.
Asbestos and cancer
Exposure to asbestos can result in increased risk for certain cancers. In general, these cancers are caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos inhalation has been linked to both lung cancer and mesothelioma.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in a specific tissue called the mesothelium. The mesothelium covers many of the interal organs of the body and serves as a protective lining. The mesothelium protects the heart, much of the abdomen and the lungs. The lungs are the most common site for mesthelioma to develop.
How does asbestos lead to mesothelioma
Almost all cases of mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos inhalation. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can burrow through the lung and enter into mesothelium cells. Once there, they promote the growth and mutation of these cells into cancer cells.
Types of asbestos and mesothelioma
There are two main types of asbestos fibers. Blue fibers are longer and thinner, and white asbestos fibers more closely resemble feathers. Blue fibers are more carcinogenic than white fibers, but white fibers are more easily inhaled and can do more damage to the lungs.
Asbestos exposure
Asbestos can be especially dangerous during the manufacturing process, when the fibers can be released into the air and inhaled. Asbestos is often used as a component of insulation, which can provide an exposure risk to everyone in the building.
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