"Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral with long thin fibrous crystals." This naturally occurring substance has been used in fire retardant coatings, bricks, pipes, drywall, popcorn ceiling texture, and roofing. Its importance became known during the Industrial Revolution and is now being utilized in various ways. Although this mineral has numerous practical appliances, it does have very hazardous effects on the body. If inhaled, asbestos particles are known to
cause very serious and potentially fatal diseases such as lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Various other minor effects of asbestos exposure include asbestos warts, pleural plaques, and diffuse pleural thickening. While these conditions can all be a results of asbestos exposure, malignant "peritoneal" mesothelioma is the most deadly. Basically, mesothelioma is a lethal cancer that "attacks the membranes around the lungs, the heart, and the abdominal cavity." Of the various forms of this cancer, mesothelioma of the lung is most common. Mesothelioma of the lung, much like that of lung cancer, is a very deadly and underdiagnosed disease because of the very subtle symptoms. Fortunately fo those who have inhaled asbestos fibers, it takes years for the fibers to infect the membranes and then cause fluid accumulation and even tumor development. Asbestos particles are extremely harmful for they can result in the development of lethal diseases.
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