Asbestosis is a diffuse fibrotic (scarring) disease of lung tissue, caused by long-standing and heavy inhalation of asbestos fibres. It is a slowly progressive disease for which there is no cure. It is associated with the development of the other asbestos-related diseases mentioned above. The pleural diseases can occur alone with rather mild asbestos exposure (including growing up in asbestos mining area or from fibres brought home on workers’ clothes).