What is one of the primary health risks associated with asbestos exposure?

One of the primary health risks associated with asbestos exposure is lung cancer. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring, which can lead to the development of cancer over time. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, especially when it is inhaled into the lungs, and the risk of developing lung cancer significantly increases with the duration and intensity of exposure.

In addition to lung cancer, asbestos exposure can also lead to other serious respiratory issues, such as mesothelioma, which specifically affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, and asbestosis, an irreversible scarring of lung tissue. However, lung cancer is notably the most well-documented and widely recognized risk linked to asbestos. Other cancers listed, such as skin, stomach, and brain cancers, do not have the same direct association with asbestos exposure, making lung cancer the most relevant and significant risk in this context.