Do not confuse star shaped leaves of sweet gum tree with that of maple. Unlike maple tree leaves, they are glossy, thick and leathery. In active growing seasons, the leaves are lustrous and dark green in color. As fall arrives, the leaf color turns vibrant orange, red and purplish.
Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms: Shortness of breath. chest pain. fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion) significant and unexplained weight loss. chronic and dry/raspy cough. coughing up blood. loss of appetite.
In this article. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin microscopic fibers. Because these fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity, asbestos has been mined and used widely in the construction, automotive, and other industries. Asbestosis, an inflammatory condition of lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and eventually scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe. 2  Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, or abdomen. 3  Lung cancer.