Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were widely used in building materials and products until the 1990s. Despite its heat-resistant, fire-retardant, and insulating properties, asbestos is now known to be a highly hazardous material that can cause serious health problems when inhaled.

Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can be released into the air when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can lodge in the lungs and cause scarring, inflammation, and cancer over time. Asbestos exposure is especially dangerous for people who work in industries such as construction, demolition, and plumbing, as well as for those who live or work in buildings that were built or renovated before the ban on asbestos use.