Asbestos was regarded as one of the most commonly used industrial material and was majorly used after the commencement of the twentieth century. But after being the most used element in the industry, it was also regarded as one of the most lethal element if them all.

The fact is that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to a wide range of pulmonary problems such as asthma and asbestosis, and even death! The most common disease that is cause by the element is  mesothelioma. It forms the most common cause of this widely spread cancer that has no cure in the later stages.
What exactly is mesothelioma? It is a lethal cancer that attacks the membranes around the lungs, the heart and the abdominal cavity. Cancer of the lungs is one of the most common forms of
Mesothelioma cancer . The most unusual fact is that mesothelioma diagnosis usually occurs decades after a person is exposed initially to asbestos.

It takes decades for the fibers of this material  to work their way into those membranes. After present in the body for a longer duration, these fibers begin to cause fluid accumulation and tumor development in the body.

Some of the initial symptoms of this disease are such afflictions as a persistent cough . It may also lead to shortness of breath. These symptoms are most often misinterpreted as lung disorders, but if proper diagnosis is not done, then the conditions may get severe also.

Expert Comments:

Did you know that the first sign of asbestos exposure can be "water on the lung" {a pleural effusion - the pleura is a cellophane-like covering over the lungs - the visceral (organ) pleura (lining) and covering the chest cavity - the parietal (chest cavity) pleura (lining)}. Unfortunately, most exposed workers never know they have such "water" accumulation. It can occur many times. In some of these patients the sticky "water" causes the linings of the lung and chest cavity to stick/fuse together. - Dr.Daniel Powers