Asbestos fibers enter the body via inhalation or ingestion. Many factors determine how exposure to asbestos will affect health and how severely.

These factors include:

• How many fibers entered the body
• How long the exposure to asbestos occurred
• Whether or not the asbestos was inhaled or swallowed.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and impaired blood flow to the lungs due to enlargement of the heart.

Ingestion of asbestos fibers can result in cancer of the larynx, esophagus, stomach, and/or intestines.