>>46300also see:
http://www.webmd.com/lung/asbestos-exposureAsbestos exposure may occur in the workplace, home, or community. Mined and used commercially since the 1800s, asbestos has been used in many products, including: car brake shoes and clutch pads; building materials, including ceiling and floor tiles; paints, coatings, and adhesives; plastics; vermiculite-containing garden products; and some talc-containing crayons. Due to federal regulations and health concerns, asbestos is much less widely used than it was just a few decades ago.
Most cases of asbestos poisoning occur in asbestos workers; however, there is some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, possibly due to the exposure of asbestos fibers brought into the home on the clothing, skin, and hair. Cases of mesothelioma have also been seen in people living close to asbestos mines.
Another group at risk of developing asbestos-related disease is workers involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Asbestos was used in the construction of the North Tower, and hundreds of tons of asbestos were released into the atmosphere during the attack.
Several factors are involved in how asbestos exposure affects an individual. These include:
How much asbestos a person was exposed to
How long the person was exposed
The size, shape and chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers
The presence of other lung diseases
Smoking also increases the risk of problems related to asbestos exposure.
There are different forms of asbestos. Although all forms are considered hazardous, different types of asbestos fibers may be associated with different health risks.
