What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with long, thin, and fibrous crystals. It can be found virtually worldwide, particularly in the USA, Canada, Africa, China, and Russia. Due to its strength, flexibility, and fantastic insulating properties for heat, sound, and electricity, people have found many uses for asbestos over the years. The tough, naturally fireproof fibers can even be woven into cloth.

Humans have used asbestos for thousands of years, but it was in the 19th and 20th centuries that we really started using asbestos at an industrial scale.

A natural mineral found worldwide that is strong and has amazing insulating properties sounds great, but for one problem. When asbestos strands are broken, they often release microscopic fibers which float through the air, staying airborne for days. Asbestos fibers act like tiny needles that spear delicate tissues, and our bodies cannot break down or otherwise eliminate the problem. Over time the irritation leads to serious and potentially fatal problems like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other types of lung cancer.

It seems obvious to many people that asbestos would be banned in the U.S., but that’s actually not the case. While asbestos use is limited by law in many cases, it can still be found in brand new building materials today.