The health risks of asbestos
Breathing in asbestos fibres has been linked to three respiratory diseases, all of which can be fatal:
- Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that can lead to respiratory impairment and to diseases such as lung cancer
- Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the pleura (outer lung lining) or of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity)
- Lung cancer caused by asbestos cannot be distinguished from those cancers that are caused by other agents such as tobacco smoke.
More information about asbestos related diseases (PDF, 112 KB) is available from Queensland Health.
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