An overview of how asbestos exposure affects the lung

#### Summary points People exposed to asbestos often develop lung disease in later life; manifestations include benign, malignant, or diffuse interstitial lung disease. This evidence based review covers who is considered to be at risk, different ways that exposure to asbestos affect the lung, and matters relating to compensation. Because many doctors in primary and secondary care encounter patients who have been exposed to asbestos, they need to be aware of how different people can be affected. #### Sources and selection criteria We comprehensively searched articles published up to February 2009 using PubMed and Medline. Key words and phrases used were “asbestos”, “malignant mesothelioma”, “pleural plaques”, “pleural thickening”, “asbestosis”, “lung cancer”, “cigarette smoking”, “pleural effusions”, “compensation”, “occupation”, “chemotherapy”, “radiotherapy”, “surgery”, “treatment”, and “survival” All people who have worked with asbestos are at potential risk of asbestos related lung disease through inhalation of fibres. Asbestos is a mineral silicate that occurs naturally in various forms. It is resistant to heat and other means of destruction, which explains its extensive use during the 19th and 20th centuries. The fibrous nature of asbestos allows it to be woven into cloth or incorporated into cement materials, ceiling tiles, brake and clutch linings, pipe and boiler …