Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses Significant exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses. It could take years for mesothelioma, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments to develop. They are often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Asbestos-related illnesses can be found in individuals with any degree of