Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials from the 1950s to the 1980s. It was used in a variety of building materials such as insulating boards, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and cement products because of its fire-resistant and insulating properties.

However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath and chest pain.