Health Effects of Asbestos

Asbestos fibers are tiny

• Length: < 5 µM to 20+ µM (1 µM --one micrometer-- is 1 millionth of a meter)

• Diameter: < 0.1 µM to 3 µM

Their size enables them to deposit and lodge deep in the lungs, where they can remain in place and cause disease

Inhaled asbestos fibers do not readily break down in the body