What is the primary health risk associated with asbestos exposure?

The primary health risk associated with asbestos exposure is lung diseases. This is due to the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can become lodged in the lung tissue and lead to serious conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These lung diseases develop over a long period, often decades, following exposure to asbestos. The unique properties of asbestos fibers, such as their small size and needle-like shape, enable them to penetrate deep into the lung tissues, triggering inflammatory responses and leading to damage over time.

In contrast, while skin irritation, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal issues can arise from various environmental and occupational hazards, they are not direct or common consequences of asbestos exposure. These other health problems may be attributed to different risk factors and do not have the same established link to the inhalation of asbestos fibers as lung diseases do.