Which material is composed of microscopic fibers and can cause lung disease?

• A. Asbestos
• B. Lead
• C. Mercury
• D. Radon

Answer: (A)

Inhaling tiny mineral fibers and having them persist in lung tissue can cause chronic irritation, inflammation, and scarring over time. Asbestos fits this pattern because it forms long, thin fibers that can be inhaled and remain in the lungs for decades. This persistent irritation can lead to diseases such as asbestosis, pleural changes, and cancers like mesothelioma. The hazard is especially high in jobs where fibers become airborne during construction, insulation, or shipyard work. The other options involve different health effects: lead and mercury are metals that cause systemic toxicity rather than fibrous lung disease, and radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk without involving inhaled fibrous material.