Inorganic Chemical
asbestos
as·bes·tos [ as-bes-tuh s, az- ]
Subclass of:
Silicates
Definitions related to asbestos:
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A group of minerals that take the form of tiny fibers. Asbestos has been used as insulation against heat and fire in buildings. Loose asbestos fibers breathed into the lungs can cause several serious diseases, including lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma (cancer found in the lining of the lungs, chest, or abdomen). Asbestos that is swallowed may cause cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals with long, thin fibers. It was once used widely as insulation. It also occurs in the environment. Asbestos fibers are so small you can't see them. If you disturb asbestos, the fibers can float in the air. This makes them easy to inhale, and some may become lodged in the lungs. If you breathe in high levels of asbestos over a long period of time, the fibers can build up in the lungs. This causes scarring and inflammation, and can affect breathing. Eventually it can lead to diseases such as: Asbestosis, or scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe; Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen; Lung cancer. Lung diseases associated with asbestos usually develop over many years. People who become ill from asbestos are usually exposed on the job over long periods of time. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Asbestos. Fibrous incombustible mineral composed of magnesium and calcium silicates with or without other elements. It is relatively inert chemically and used in thermal insulation and fireproofing. Inhalation of dust causes asbestosis and later lung and gastrointestinal neoplasms.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Fibrous incombustible mineral composed of magnesium and calcium silicates with or without other elements; it is relatively inert chemically and has been used in thermal insulation and fireproofing; inhalation of dust causes asbestosis and later lung and gastrointestinal neoplasms.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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One of a number of fibrous magnesium and calcium silicate minerals processed for thermal insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos is considered to be an environmental carcinogen; chronic inhalation of fine asbestos dust causes pulmonary asbestosis and may induce lung neoplasms. Chronic ingestion of asbestos may induce gastrointestinal neoplasms. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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