Exposure to asbestos is another well-known cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma - cancer of the pleura lining the lungs. Asbestos is widely used in construction and everyday products in the late 1800s through the 1960s. Asbestos separates into fine silica fibers that become trapped in lung tissue.
Mesothelioma is closely linked to asbestos exposure. There were reported cases of mesothelioma in people who are not exposed to asbestos either at work or through their environment. Non-smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a five times greater risk of lung cancer developed than non-smokers are not affected.
Smoking increases the risk dramatically – a smoker is exposed to asbestos have a risk of lung cancer developed a 50-90 times greater than non-smokers.
