Asbestos

Asbestos refers to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers. Because it resists heat and does not conduct electricity, it was used in many industries as insulation or fireproofing material; it can also be found in automotive brake shoes. When dust from this fiber is inhaled or swallowed, it can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. People who become ill from it are usually exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in the workplace.