Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were widely used in construction and manufacturing from the 1950s to the 1990s. Asbestos was valued for its excellent insulation, fire resistance, and durability, but it also has very harmful health effects. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, they release tiny asbestos fibers that can enter the lungs and cause serious respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestos-related diseases can take several years to develop and have a high mortality rate, affecting not only workers who were exposed to asbestos in the past but also their families and other people who come into contact with asbestos fibers.