Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once commonly used in construction materials such as insulation, roofing, and flooring. While asbestos has many useful properties such as fire resistance and insulating ability, it also happens to be a dangerous material. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, they release tiny fibers into the air that can be inhaled into the lungs. Asbestos fibers lodged in the lungs can lead to a range of diseases, including:

• Asbestosis: This is a chronic lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties.
• Lung Cancer: Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, which is a common cancer worldwide.
• Mesothelioma: This is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs.

Asbestos is most dangerous when it is disturbed or damaged, which releases fibers into the air. This means that any building constructed before the 1990s may contain asbestos-containing materials such as pipes, insulation, roofing, and more.