Asbestos Awareness: Asbestos Hazards

Asbestos is the generic term for a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to thermal, chemical, and electrical conditions. Despite a reduction in the use of asbestos in recent years, everyone is exposed to asbestos at some point during their life. Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.