EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Asbestos can cause asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs that leads to breathing problems and heart failure. Workers who manufacture or use asbestos products and have high exposures to asbestos are often affected with asbestosis (2).

Detailed explanation-2: -Asbestos was one of the first hazardous air pollutants regulated under the air toxics program. On March 31, 1971, EPA identified asbestos as a hazardous pollutant, and on April 6, 1973, EPA promulgated the Asbestos NESHAP, currently found in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M .

Detailed explanation-3: -Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath.

Detailed explanation-4: -Asbestos, as a pollutant in the air, may be a serious health problem globally, similar to many other environmental pollutants [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Detailed explanation-5: -If you breathe in asbestos fibres, they can get lodged inside your lungs. This can cause scarring and thickening around your air sacs, meaning it’s more difficult for oxygen to reach the blood stream. This scarring leads to your lungs ‘shrinking’ and ‘hardening’.