In addition to mesothelioma, another asbestos danger is asbestosis. With asbestosis, lung tissue is damaged by asbestos fibers. The fibers cause inflammation and scarring. Asbestosis occurs when scar tissue replaces lung tissue.

This particular asbestos danger produces shortness of breath and coughing. It may also cause permanent lung damage. While asbestosis is noncancerous, it is a progressive and chronic, or long lasting, lung ailment and usually progresses slowly. Like mesothelioma, asbestosis usually takes 10-20 years to develop after asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis has been known as an asbestos danger for as long as mesothelioma has been known to be a danger. The connection between asbestos and these two ailments was first reported in 1943.

Studies have shown that people at greatest risk for this asbestos danger are those with high levels of exposure to asbestos for a long period of time. Studies show a clear relationship between the amount of asbestos inhaled over a lifetime and the development of asbestosis. Asbestosis has been shown to lower a person's resistance to secondary diseases, like pneumonia, emphysema, and tuberculosis. In some cases, asbestosis may have caused these types of diseases to become fatal.

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for asbestosis; you or a loved one who has been diagnosed may wish to visit our main Mesothelioma and Asbestos Information page to learn more.