What causes asbestosis?

What causes asbestosis?

The main cause of asbestosis is inhaling asbestos fibers or dust over a long period of time. This leads to the thickening and scarring of your lungs and pleura (very thin tissue, or membrane, that line your lungs).

Breathing in asbestos particles in the air causes asbestosis. Undisturbed asbestos — such as in insulation or tile — doesn’t increase your risk of the disease.

Building and manufacturing industries used asbestos widely in the past. As a result, some people developed asbestosis after repeatedly inhaling asbestos particles while at work in these industries.

Materials and products that may contain asbestos include:

• Car clutch pads and brake linings.
• Construction cement, putties and plaster.
• Insulation.
• Pipe wrapping.
• Siding and roof shingles.
• Vinyl floor tiles.