Though it is a very useful material, asbestos is also extremely hazardous. Formed by combining six separate fibrous minerals (chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite), asbestos is raked from mines throughout the world. Though asbestos products have been used for roughly the past 100 years, it wasn't until the 1960-1970's that the hazards affiliated with asbestos became known. People who are exposed to asbestos can suffer from a variety of breathing and lung disorders and heart ailments. Asbestos can even cause certain cancers including mesothelioma.

Almost everyone has been exposed to some form of asbestos during their everyday lives. Asbestos has a tremendous heat retardant capacity and, accordingly, can be found in such products as automobile brake pads, roofing shingles, and floor tiles. Heating ducts and water pipes found in everyday homes, schools, and offices were also often insulated with an asbestos wrap. While the use of asbestos products has declined rapidly in the United States in recent years, it continues to be used in full force in developing countries.

A form of lung disease, asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue resulting from exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis patients suffer from shortness of breath, chronic coughing, and, in advanced stages, spasms. Workers who mine for the materials used to create asbestos are at a greater risk for asbestos exposure, as are employees of manufacturing plants where asbestos products are made.

Many asbestos abatement companies are hired to remove asbestos products from homes, schools, office buildings and such every year. Abatement workers wear insulated clothing and helmeted masks designed to prohibit asbestos fibers from entering their bodies. They also secure and isolate the area so insure the asbestos is contained.

If an individual acquires the disease asbestosis, unfortunately there is no known cure at the current time. While minimal exposure to asbestos may not cause problems, homeowners are encouraged to tread softly around asbestos products. For instance, if you attempt to remove your old furnace and heat ducts or the insulation around your water pipes, you should have a professional inspect the ductwork and insulation first to determine if the insulation wrap is asbestos.

When left in an undisturbed state, asbestos is not harmful. However, if a homeowner cuts, tears apart and removes his asbestos insulation, asbestos particles will be sent airborne. These particles do not dissolve and will linger about indefinitely, exposing the homeowner and his family to this dangerous material. Though abatement companies do not come cheap, they perform their work in a professional manner, isolating the area and containing the asbestos. Moreover, the peace of mind associated with a job done correctly is well worth the cost for any homeowner.