What is 'asbestosis'?

What is 'asbestosis'?

Roy Artal (Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician) gives expert video advice on: How is asbestosis diagnosed?; What are the complications of asbestosis?; How can I prevent or minimize asbestos exposure? and more...

Asbestotsis is a medical condition caused by exposure to and inhalation of asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral found throughout the earth. Very, very low levels of asbestos are actually ambient in our air. All of us are breathing asbestos, even right now. It becomes a problem when we breath it in high concentrations. If we breath it in high concentrations over the course of years and years, such as somebody working in an asbestos rich environment, that can lead to very significant lung disease. Asbestotosis is a condition in which someone who's exposed to asbestos over the course of years develops essentially scarring and fibrosis of the lungs, leading to significant pulmonary limitation.