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Causes of Asbestosis

Asbestos contains tiny fibres of mineral silicates. People who have worked extensively with asbestos (for example repairing boilers, demolishing buildings, and asbestos removal workers), or who have lived close to asbestos factories, will have breathed in these fibres.

These fibres are extremely irritating to the tissue of the lungs. They settle in the lungs and the lung tissue becomes thickened and scarred. This gradually makes it more difficult for oxygen to get from the atmosphere into the blood and for the waste gas carbon dioxide to be breathed out.

Many years of exposure are usually necessary to develop asbestosis. However, people who smoke heavily can develop lung cancer in a period as short as six months to two years, after being exposed to asbestos.

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