Asbestos is a mineral that is mined similarly to other minerals, such as iron, lead, and copper, are. There are many varieties of asbestos: the three most common are chrysotile asbestos, amosite asbestos, and crocidolite asbestos. Unlike most minerals, which turn into dust particles when crushed, asbestos breaks up into fine fibers that are too small to be seen by the human eye. Often, individual fibers are mixed with a material that binds them together, producing asbestos containing material (ACM).

Kentile asbestos floors Asbestos was first used in the United States in the early 1900's, to insulate steam engines. After World War II, and for the next thirty years, people who constructed and renovated schools and other public buildings used asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) extensively. ACM's were used primarily to fireproof, insulate, soundproof, and decorate buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates there are ACM's in most of the nation's approximately 107,000 primary and secondary schools, and 733,000 public and commercial buildings.

asbestos John Manville One study estimated that 3,000 different types of commercial products once contained asbestos. The amount of asbestos in each product varied from as little as one percent to as much as 100 percent. Many older plastics, paper products, brake linings, floor tiles and textile products contain asbestos; as do many heavy industrial products such as sealants, cement pipe, cement sheets, and insulation. The law now prohibits the manufacture, processing and importation of most asbestos products.

Capco asbestos Manufacturers and builders found asbestos useful for a variety of reasons. It is strong yet flexible, and it will not burn. It conducts electricity poorly, but insulates effectively. It also resists corrosion. Few other available substances have all of these qualities.

When asbestos fibers are in the air, people may inhale them. Because asbestos fibers are small and light, they can stay in the air for a long time, and are not easily detected. People whose work brings them into contact with asbestos -- workers who renovate buildings with asbestos in them, for example -- may inhale fibers that are in the air: this is called occupational exposure. Workers' families may inhale asbestos fibers released by clothes that have been in contact with ACM: this is called paraoccupational exposure.

Johns-Manville asbestos People who live or work near asbestos- related operations may inhale asbestos fibers that have been released into the air by the operations: this is called neighborhood exposure.

Find out more about Asbestos
Asbestos and Smoking	Asbestos Background and Use

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