Asbestos is a natural mineral that was commonly used in construction materials. It was a popular building material due to its excellent insulation properties and high resistance to heat and fire. As a result, asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, including:

• Pipe insulation
• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Roofing shingles
• Wallboard
• Plaster
• Vinyl flooring

While asbestos was commonly used in buildings constructed before the 1980s, it wasnt until the late 1990s when the health risks of asbestos became widely understood. Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can result in asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

The risk of exposure to asbestos fibers is highest when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged. For example, drilling, sawing, breaking or removing materials that contain asbestos can release fibers into the air. When inhaled, these tiny fibers can lodge in the lungs and cause serious health complications.