👉 Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals, has unique biological properties that contribute to its toxicity. These fibers are long, thin, and resistant to heat and chemicals, allowing them to persist in the environment and human tissues for extended periods. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs, where they may cause chronic inflammation and scarring (pleural plaques and pneumoconiosis). Over time, this persistent irritation can lead to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the mesothelium, or lung cancer, due to the release of carcinogenic compounds like asbestos fibers and their degradation products. The body's immune response to these fibers is often inadequate, exacerbating tissue damage and increasing cancer risk.
