Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and scarring disease affecting the tissue of the lungs. Those affected may experience severe shortness of breath and are at an increased risk for certain cancers, including lung cancer and, less commonly, mesothelioma. Asbestosis specifically refers to fibrosis within the lung tissue from asbestos, and not scaring around the outside of the lungs.

It is caused by the breathing in and retention of asbestos fibers. It usually occurs after high intensity and/or long-term exposure to asbestos (particularly in those individuals working on the production or end-use of products containing asbestos) and is therefore regarded as an occupational lung disease. People with extensive occupational exposure to the mining, manufacturing, handling, or removal of asbestos are at risk of developing asbestosis.

The number of deaths from Asbestosis in the United States.

Frequently recorded industries on death certificates.

Frequently recorded occupations on death certificates.

The number of deaths from Asbestosis by state in the United States.

Like mesothelioma, the cause of asbestosis is the breathing in of the mineral asbestos.