Asbestosis is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.

Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally, and cannot perform gas exchange. The severity of the disease depends upon the duration of exposure to asbestos and the amount inhaled.

Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurs in asbestos mining and milling industries, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. In families of asbestos workers, exposure can also occur from particles brought home on the worker's clothing.

Asbestos-related disease includes pleural plaques (calcification), malignant mesothelioma, and pleural effusion. Mesotheliomas may develop 20 - 40 years after exposure. Workers today are less likely to develop asbestos-related disease because of government regulations.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing the disease. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people.

• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Cough
• Tightness in the chest
• Chest pain

Possible additional symptoms include the following:

• Nail abnormalities
• Clubbing of fingers

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation), the doctor may detect a crackling sound.

• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary function tests
• CT scan of the lungs
• Gallium lung scan