Asbestos is a natural mineral that was widely used in construction, insulation, and other industries for its heat-resistant and fireproof properties. It comes in six different types, including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. All six types of asbestos can cause health problems, especially when they are friable or disturbed, releasing fibres into the air that can be inhaled into the lungs.

Asbestos-related diseases can take many years to develop, and symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure. Some of these diseases are:

• Asbestosis: scarring of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and decreasing the amount of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream.
• Mesothelioma: a rare and often deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
• Lung cancer: the most common type of cancer among people with a history of asbestos exposure.