Which health risk is primarily associated with asbestos exposure?

Lung cancer is primarily associated with asbestos exposure due to the cancer-causing properties of asbestos fibers when inhaled. Asbestos is known to cause significant damage to lung tissue, leading to conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The fibers can become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring that significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer over time, especially in individuals with prolonged exposure.

The other health risks mentioned, while certainly relevant in various contexts, do not share the same level of direct association with asbestos exposure. Skin irritation can occur as a result of contact with asbestos materials but is not a primary health risk. Eye injury might occur from asbestos fibers getting into the eyes, but this is less common and not a significant health risk compared to lung-related diseases. Hearing loss is generally unrelated to asbestos exposure and can be attributed to a variety of other factors, primarily noise exposure or aging. Thus, lung cancer remains the most significant and well-documented health risk linked to asbestos exposure.