Asbestos and Lung Cancer

Asbestos is an insulating material that was commonly used from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was used for soundproofing and to cover floors, ceilings, water pipes, and heating ducts. When this material becomes crumbly or frayed, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Breathing in these fibers may cause lung cancer, asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue), or mesothelioma. This is a cancer that forms in the thin tissue that lines many of your organs.