Asbestosis Definition & Overview

Definition

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that are made up of bundles of tiny fibers composed of hydrated magnesium silicates. It is mined from the ground. Asbestos has been widely used in building and manufacturing industries because it is not affected by heat or chemicals.

Asbestosis is a lung condition caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Usually, when particles in the air are breathed in, they are filtered out by the nose or the upper airways of the lungs. But asbestos particles are very thin and light, and sometimes are not filtered out before they reach the lungs. After years of exposure, asbestos can damage lung tissue and is responsible for causing several serious diseases, including cancer .