As a result of these health effects, asbestos is considered a serious health and safety hazard.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to various dangerous lung conditions, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fibre ( particulate with length substantially greater than width) being composed of many microscopic 'fibrils' that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes. Asbestos ( / æ s ˈ b ɛ s t ə s, æ z ˈ-, - t ɒ s/ ass- BEST-əs, az-, -oss) is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral.
