Asbestos - Wikipedia
Asbestos (/ æsˈbɛstəs, æz -, - tɒs / ass-BES-təs, az-, -toss) [1] is a group of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals, used for thousands of years to create flexible objects that resist fire, such as …
Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk Fact Sheet - NCI
A fact sheet about asbestos, the health hazards of asbestos exposure (including mesothelioma), and who's at risk for an asbestos-related disease. Also presented are resources for information related to …
What Is Asbestos and Where Does it Come From?
Apr 2, 2025 · What Is Asbestos? Asbestos is a natural mineral that is resistant to heat and corrosion. It was widely used in insulation, automotive parts like brake pads, and building materials like roof and …
What is asbestos? Definition, risks of exposure, and more
Oct 20, 2023 · Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that is present in soil and rocks. Exposure to asbestos may lead to lung diseases and other health conditions.
How does asbestos exposure cause cancer? | MD Anderson Cancer …
Jan 27, 2025 · What is asbestos, and how might the average person be exposed to it? Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibers that have special properties, such as being fire …
Health Effects of Asbestos | Asbestos and Your Health | ATSDR
Aug 12, 2024 · Breathing asbestos can cause tiny asbestos fibers to get stuck in the lungs and irritate lung tissues. Workers and others who breathed asbestos fibers over many years have developed …
Asbestos | Types, Uses, & Description | Britannica
Dec 23, 2025 · asbestos, any of several minerals that readily separate into long, flexible fibers. Chrysotile, the fibrous form of the mineral serpentine, is the best-known type and accounts for about …
Where Is Asbestos Found in the Environment? - Biology Insights
4 days ago · Asbestos is the collective term for a group of six naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals. These minerals are composed of long, thin crystals that separate into microscopic fibers, …
Asbestos: Risks of Exposure and Tips To Avoid It - WebMD
May 11, 2024 · They're made up of bundles of fibers that are flexible, lightweight, and resistant to heat, fire, chemicals, and electricity. That makes them very useful in construction and manufacturing. …
People are exposed to asbestos when ACMs are disturbed or damaged, and small asbestos fibers are dispersed in the air. These fibers may get into the lungs through the air that we breathe.