Asbestos as a building material
Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral, used as an excellent electrical insulator and building material, due to its highly heat-resistant properties. Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in hundreds of U.S. consumer products. Yet many people are unaware of the fact that this type of building material is actually a health and safety hazard, being illegal in many countries around the world. Exposure and inhalation of asbestos can lead to severe health complications and diseases, such as lung disease, asbestosis and even cancer. (see more on the next page).
