What We Know about Cigarette Smoking and Asbestos Fibers, continued . . .

Cigarette smoking can complicate asbestos fibers-related lung disease, such as mesothelioma.

Breathing the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke harms nearly every organ in your body.

Asbestos is the name given to a group of fibrous minerals with separable, long, and thin fibers that are found in the environment.

These fibers are so small that you cannot see them.

Asbestos fibers are most common in the work environment (occupational exposure) that make or use asbestos-containing products such as insulation, ceiling or floor tiles, cement pipes, automotive repair of brakes and clutches.

Asbestos also can be found in buildings containing asbestos products that are being torn down or repaired, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.

We are all exposed to low levels of asbestos in the air.

Even though in the United States current exposures are generally much lower than in the past, occupational and environmental exposures to asbestos remain a concern.

Courtesy of The ATSDR