What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers and can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals, and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries.

There are two subgroups of asbestos: chrysotile, which has curly fibers and is in the serpentine family of minerals; and amphibole asbestos, which has straight, needle-like fibers and includes actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and amosite asbestos. (Chrysotile asbestos is the form that has been used predominantly in commercial applications worldwide).

How might someone be exposed to asbestos?

People can be exposed to asbestos by working or living in an environment where asbestos is used or removed. This can include people who worked in asbestos mines or in factories where asbestos products were manufactured.  Further, this can even be people who laundry dirty clothing with asbestos fibers on the clothing.