Asbestosis is defined as which of the following?

Asbestosis is defined as a disease that causes scarring of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. When these fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lung tissue, leading to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue over time. This scarring impairs lung function and can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath and persistent cough.

Understanding asbestosis as a scarring disease is crucial because it highlights the long-term health effects of asbestos exposure. Although lung cancer and other conditions can result from asbestos exposure, asbestosis specifically refers to the fibrotic changes in lung tissue. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of asbestosis. Lung cancer is a separate and more severe consequence of asbestos exposure, whereas asbestosis is not an infection but rather a chronic fibrotic disease. Additionally, it is not simply a symptom; it is a specific pathological condition caused by exposure to asbestos.