Asbestos is a natural mineral that was widely used in construction materials from the 1950s to the 1990s. Asbestos has many desirable properties, including strength, heat resistance, and insulation. Asbestos fibers are strong, flexible, and resistant to fire, chemicals, and electricity. Asbestos can be woven into cloth, sprayed onto surfaces, or mixed with other materials to make products such as auto parts, roofing, flooring, pipes, and cement.

However, asbestos fibers are also extremely hazardous when inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can penetrate deep into the lungs, where they can cause serious health problems. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that can lead to heart and lung failure. Asbestos-related diseases can take years, even decades, to develop, and there is no known cure.