Yes, asbestos exposure is toxic and has been linked to various lung and respiratory health conditions including asbestosis – an inflammatory lung condition that leads to shortness of breath and the scarring of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Exposure to asbestos also has the potential to increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings, and asbestosis, irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal).