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.
Characterized by areas of fibrous thickening on the lining of the lungs (pleura) or diaphragm, the condition typically arises 20 to 30 years after asbestos exposure. The plaques can calcify over time, but they do not cause long-term health problems. Pleural plaques are benign, which means they are not cancerous.