Asbestos was widely used in building materials due to its fire-resistant, insulating, and durable properties. As a result, it can be found in many homes, schools, factories, and public buildings built before the 1980s. Some common asbestos-containing materials include:

• Asbestos cement products (e.g., roofs, pipes, sheets, tiles)
• Asbestos insulation (e.g., loose-fill, pipe lagging)
• Asbestos floor tiles and adhesives
• Asbestos coatings (e.g., paints, sprays)
• Asbestos wrap (e.g., around ducts, boilers)

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can easily become airborne when disturbed, such as during renovation or demolition work. When inhaled, these fibers can lodge into the lungs and cause various lung diseases, including:

• Asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue)
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart)

It can take decades for these diseases to develop, and there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent asbestos exposure and perform asbestos removal where necessary.