Naturally Occurring Asbestos is a Pollutant, Government Agency Says

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Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) has recently been deemed a dangerous pollutant, according to a study published in an October 2008 issue of Chemical Science and conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
According to researchers from the organization, naturally occurring asbestos is the name that describes “the silicate minerals serpentine and amphibole” that can form extremely thin crystals in patterns similar to that of cotton or silk, with extreme parallel alignment and, when crushed or broken, can cause asbestosis among individuals who inhale the particles.
What is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis occurs when the lungs have been exposed to asbestos fibers and the lungs react by becoming chronically inflamed as cancerous cells begin to form on the protective lining of the body’s internal organs, especially within the lungs. Signs and symptoms of asbestosis can be difficult to spot and are often misdiagnosed for other similar conditions, which is why it is important for an individual who may have been exposed to naturally occurring asbestos to seek medical attention immediately. Signs and symptoms of asbestosis include the following, according to the Mayo Clinic: