Asbestos is cause of disease.

PLEURAL plaques are a form of scarring of the lining of the lung.

Although pleural plaques do not normally cause any symptoms they are an indication of previous exposure to asbestos.

People diagnosed with pleural plaques often become anxious about whether they will develop a fatal asbestos-related illness in the future, such as mesothelioma.

Pleural plaques are benign and do not become cancer however their existence is associated with an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos to can lead to a number of asbestosrelated illnesses including:

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen caused only by exposure to asbestos. There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma and after diagnosis victims may only have a short time to live.

Lung cancer is most commonly associated with smoking cigarettes. However, it can also be caused by inhaling substantial quantities of asbestos dust. The risks of lung cancer are greatly increased in those who have smoked cigarettes and been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestosis is a benign lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres which cause scarring and thickening to the lung tissues. Asbestosis normally only affects people who have been exposed to a lot of asbestos over a long period of time.

Pleural thickening can develop on one or both lungs by causing the tissue to harden which in turn prevents the lungs from functioning correctly. Pleural thickening is a benign condition but can be disabling.