How dangerous is asbestos insulation?
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases, such as:
- asbestosis
- a scarring of the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe
- mesothelioma
- a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity
- lung cancer
- smoking can greatly increase this risk
There are no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos in your home are:
- tightly bound in products and are in good condition
- sealed behind walls and floorboards
- isolated in an attic
- left undisturbed