Asbestos is a group of 6 naturally occurring mineral fibers once used in thousands of U.S. products because of its resistance to heat, electricity and corrosion. It is carcinogenic and linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer.
Learn more about mesothelioma, asbestos and the steps you can take to fight this disease.
Karen Selby, RN: What is Asbestos and Why is it Dangerous?
Asbestos was so widely used because it's an amazing product.
It's a God made mineral. It's it's a rock, and it has great attributes, it's a fire retardant, it's an insulator, and it's free, it's a part of the earth. And that's why it was used in so many products because it was just an amazing product. It was put in so many different things, anything that could potentially catch fire, or anything that, needed to stay insulated or warm, whether it be ceiling tiles or flooring or walls or anything in our homes or anything in the industry.
For example, machines that blow or have a a motor in it are always in insulated with something. So in case it sparks or catches fire, it's gonna be insulated. Well, back in the day, it was insulated with asbestos products. So if potentially catch fire, it would, you know, put it out because it's great fire retardant.
The unfortunate thing is it can be a health hazard. It causes cancer, and because it's a fine rock or mineral, when it becomes disturbed, it becomes airborne. When it becomes airborne, it can be ingested or in inhaled. And oftentimes, if you get an accumulation of inhaling something so microscopic, you can't see it, it can become a future health hazard.
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Karen Selby, RN: What is Asbestos and Why is it Dangerous?
Asbestos was so widely used because it's an amazing product.
It's a God made mineral. It's it's a rock, and it has great attributes, it's a fire retardant, it's an insulator, and it's free, it's a part of the earth. And that's why it was used in so many products because it was just an amazing product. It was put in so many different things, anything that could potentially catch fire, or anything that, needed to stay insulated or warm, whether it be ceiling tiles or flooring or walls or anything in our homes or anything in the industry.
For example, machines that blow or have a a motor in it are always in insulated with something. So in case it sparks or catches fire, it's gonna be insulated. Well, back in the day, it was insulated with asbestos products. So if potentially catch fire, it would, you know, put it out because it's great fire retardant.
The unfortunate thing is it can be a health hazard. It causes cancer, and because it's a fine rock or mineral, when it becomes disturbed, it becomes airborne. When it becomes airborne, it can be ingested or in inhaled. And oftentimes, if you get an accumulation of inhaling something so microscopic, you can't see it, it can become a future health hazard.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is resistant to heat and corrosion. It was widely used in insulation, automotive parts such as brake pads, and building materials, including roof and floor tiles.
Disturbed asbestos-containing materials release microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers are too small to see, smell or feel. Once inhaled, they travel deep into the lungs, where the body cannot break them down or expel them. The fibers become permanently lodged in lung or abdominal tissue. Over decades, this causes chronic inflammation and scarring that can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other serious diseases. EPA, OSHA and the World Health Organization all agree there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.
Key Facts About Asbestos
Asbestos is linked to mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancers.
More than 60 other countries have banned the use of asbestos. The U.S. announced a plan in 2024 to ban chrysotile asbestos.
Latest CDC data shows mesothelioma killed 2,236 people in 2022.
Asbestos-related diseases typically take 20 to 60 years to develop after exposure, which is why many people are diagnosed long after their last exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos-related lung cancer causes an estimated 6,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Asbestos was once mined across North America, with the first commercial asbestos mine opening in 1874. Now, most asbestos comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and China. Its widespread use in construction and manufacturing continued until the 1970s when health concerns grew.
Types of Asbestos
The 6 types of commercial asbestos are chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Other types of asbestos-like minerals exist naturally; together, they are called asbestiform minerals. All types of asbestos cause mesothelioma cancer, with amosite and crocidolite posing the greatest risk.
Six Types of Asbestos
Actinolite (Green Asbestos)
This form of asbestos has a harsh texture and is not as flexible as the others. Mining companies did not seek to mine this type of asbestos. Actinolite occurs near other commercial asbestos types. That’s how it ends up in asbestos products.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
It was most used in cement sheets and pipe insulation. Amosite is also in insulating board, ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products. It’s reportedly more carcinogenic than chrysotile. But it’s not as dangerous as crocidolite.
Anthophyllite (Yellow Asbestos)
It was used in small amounts for insulation and construction. It also occurs as a contaminant in chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc. It may have a grey, dull green or white color.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
The most used form of asbestos. It was used in roofs, ceilings, walls and floors. Manufacturers used chrysotile asbestos in brake linings, gaskets and boiler seals. It was used as insulation for pipes, ducts and appliances.
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
It was used to insulate steam engines. Blue asbestos was also used in some spray-on coatings and pipe insulation. It was also used in plastics and cement products. It’s the most carcinogenic type of asbestos. It is linked to a higher risk of mesothelioma.
Tremolite (Color Varies)
It is in deposits of chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc. Some insulation products, paints, sealants, and roofing materials contain it. Tremolite can be white, green, gray and transparent. It’s more carcinogenic than other types but less so than crocidolite.
The 6 main types of asbestos fall into 2 categories: amphibole and serpentine. Only chrysotile falls into the serpentine category. The rest are amphiboles.
Serpentine asbestos fibers are long, curly and white. These properties made serpentine asbestos easier to use in the production of fireproof clothing and textiles. Amphibole asbestos fibers are brittle, needle-like and range in color from green to blue to brown. Amphibole fibers offer superior heat and acid resistance, as well as structural rigidity.
Asbestos was commonly used in industry and construction from the late 1800s to the 1980s. It was added to building materials, insulation, fireproofing and brakes because its strong fibers resist heat and electricity.
Asbestos was in thousands of consumer, industrial and commercial products.
Building materials used asbestos because it is an effective insulator. Asbestos strengthened and improved heat resistance in items like cloth, paper, cement and plastic. Consumer products such as appliances, cosmetics, textiles and toys also contained asbestos. Asbestos may even be found in talc-based cosmetics, like eye shadow or body powders. This is because talc and asbestos often grow together, leading to cross-contamination.
These past uses have led to asbestos exposure in occupational settings, public buildings and homes throughout the United States. While the U.S. is no longer mining or using asbestos in consumer products, the risk remains for blue-collar workers who work with legacy asbestos products.
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Asbestos causes mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancers, as well as noncancerous lung conditions such as asbestosis (irreversible scarring of lung tissue). However, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry notes that not. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry notes that disease risk generally increases with the amount of asbestos inhaled and the duration of exposure.
For asbestosis and lung cancer, more exposure means a higher risk. Mesothelioma is different. Even brief or low-level asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma. The ATSDR and World Health Organization state that no level of asbestos exposure is safe.
Smoking also significantly increases the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer. People who both smoke and have been exposed to asbestos face a much higher combined risk than those with either factor alone.
Many people with related diseases were exposed to asbestos for long periods, while others were only exposed for a few weeks or months. Chuck Gast, a survivor of pleural mesothelioma, shared his experience of developing the disease just 6 weeks after working with asbestos at a furnace factory.
“I was 27 years old and never thought something like this would come back to haunt me,” Gast said. “That’s one job I should have never taken.”
Asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, meaning the time between first exposure and the appearance of symptoms. That gap is typically 20 to 60 years. During the latency period, a person will feel no signs of illness, which is why many people are diagnosed decades after their last known exposure. It also explains why a mesothelioma diagnosis can come as a shock. The exposure may have happened early in a career, long before any symptoms appear.
How Can People Be Exposed to Asbestos?
Most people are exposed to asbestos at work, especially in power plants, chemical plants, steel and textile mills, factories, shipyards and automotive repair shops. Workers can bring asbestos fibers home on their clothes and bodies, exposing their families.
Asbestos can also be found in homes, public buildings and the environment. People living near natural deposits or contaminated sites may encounter asbestos. Older municipal water systems that use asbestos cement pipes are another potential source of environmental exposure. Many consumer products in the U.S. once contained asbestos.
Occupations With High Asbestos Use
Asbestos was widely used in manufacturing, construction, power generation and the military. Workers in these diverse fields encountered asbestos and unknowingly brought home asbestos fibers. This caused secondhand exposure among their families and others in the house. Although modern safety regulations, like on-site showers and uniform changes, have been put in place, a common 30-to 50-year latency period means many individuals are only now seeing the effects of asbestos exposure.
Historically High Risk
Still High Risk
Mining
Automotive Repair
Construction
Chlor-Alkali Production
Manufacturing
Building Materials and Equipment Maintenance
Shipbuilding
Renovation and Demolition
Electricity Generation
Firefighting
Heavy Industry
Sheet Gasket Use
Military Service
Oilfield Brake Block Repair
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reported that from 1940 to 1979, around 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos. Today, about 1.3 million workers in construction and industry still face asbestos exposure risks. Regulations have made workplaces safer, but some jobs, such as those in the chlor-alkali industry, still pose risks of asbestos exposure.
U.S. companies produced thousands of asbestos-containing products until the 1980s. Legacy products found in renovation or demolition work currently cause the most exposure. Old buildings that contain legacy asbestos products pose the most significant risk.
Discontinued Asbestos Building Materials
Asbestos adhesives, sealants and coatings
Asbestos cement
Asbestos-reinforced plastics
Asbestos roofing felt
Vinyl asbestos floor tiles
Long-term exposure to asbestos-containing products typically occurs in occupational settings. These include factories, plants, construction sites and schools. Short-term exposure often happens at home during DIY renovations or working with car brakes.
Asbestos products for consumers are no longer made in the U.S. But they once included toasters, ovens, ironing pads and hair dryers. Cosmetics and toys have also exposed people to asbestos-contaminated talc.
Which Companies Made and Sold Asbestos Products?
The top asbestos manufacturers in the U.S. included Johns Manville, W.R. Grace & Co., Pittsburgh Corning and Armstrong Industries. These companies produced and sold asbestos-containing products for decades while concealing evidence of the health risks to workers and consumers. Many of the trust funds available to mesothelioma patients today were established as a result of bankruptcy proceedings against these manufacturers.
The history of asbestos use dates to prehistoric times. The word “asbestos” originates from the Ancient Greek word for “inextinguishable” or “indestructible.” Early humans added it to pottery for strength. Ancient Egyptians used asbestos in embalming to preserve pharaohs’ bodies. The ancient Greeks used its fire-resistant qualities for lamp wicks and funeral shrouds. In the Middle Ages, asbestos fibers were woven into textiles like tablecloths and clothing.
How Asbestos Became Widely Used in the 20th Century
The Industrial Revolution vastly increased asbestos use because of its insulating and fireproofing properties. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, asbestos was added to many products, including construction materials, automotive parts and household items. Large-scale mining began at the end of the 19th century, and by the early 20th century, asbestos was integrated into more than 3,000 products.
When Did Countries Start Banning Asbestos?
Asbestos was widely used, but health concerns ramped up significantly in the early 20th century, when workers in mines and factories showed high rates of lung issues. The first case of asbestosis was documented in 1924. By the 1960s, researchers linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma, a rare cancer.
Because of rising health risk evidence, many countries started limiting asbestos use in the 1970s. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set guidelines to reduce exposure to asbestos, and industries pursued safer alternatives. Over 70 countries have a national ban on asbestos, including all members of the European Union.
Asbestos Laws & Regulations
The EPA and OSHA primarily enforce asbestos regulations. These laws govern asbestos removal in buildings, worker exposure limits, disposal standards and notification requirements before demolition or renovation. State laws often add further restrictions to the federal standards.
Explain the history of the asbestos cover-up in the U.S.
The history of the asbestos industry is actually kind of a nasty one. It unfortunately involves a lot of very respected companies in the United States. I’m not gonna name those specific companies, but large multinational corporation And as early as the early nineteen hundreds, people understood that asbestos was dangerous. Doctors started seeing cases, and they started testing for it, and understanding that these vessels was largely what was making people sick. Unfortunately, this is really a tale of corporate greed because what happened was when the company started realizing, oh, man, we’re exposing our employees to these dangerous asbestos containing products. They covered it up. They didn’t wanna get sued, and there’s lots of documentation about this. Their writing letters to their, insurance companies. What should we do? They’re conspiring with their insurance companies to keep it under wraps. They did not wanna get sued. So eventually, when it started coming out, again, in the seventies and eighties on a national level, and the lawyer started digging in on, Hey, what happened? How come this didn’t come out sooner? They started finding reams and reams of dock show that this was a cover up, and it’s one of the reasons why. In mesothelioma, it’s usually a pretty clear cut case. If you’ve got mesot Elioma, somebody is liable. The companies don’t typically want to take these cases to court because they know the evidence is stacked heavily against them. So it’s really just a typical situation, and you kinda hear about these sometimes where people are putting money over employees.
Although U.S. manufacturers stopped producing asbestos products, imported building materials such as roofing, joint compounds and gaskets, all of which may still contain asbestos. The EPA requires testing, safety protocols and proper disposal to reduce exposure risks for workers and the public.
A 2019 EPA rule also requires manufacturers to seek government approval before reintroducing any discontinued asbestos-containing products, including vinyl floor tiles, cement, roofing felt, adhesives, sealants and coatings, giving the agency the right to review health risks before those products can be sold.
Is Asbestos Banned?
In March 2024, the Biden administration announced it would ban chrysotile asbestos in the U.S. This ban does not cover other types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the only type imported into the country, and chlor-alkali companies still using this form of asbestos were given 12 years to discontinue use.
U.S. manufacturers have stopped using asbestos and now use safer alternatives like polyurethane foam, silica fabric, cellulose fiber and thermoset plastic flour. These options are often cheaper, offer safer functional advantages and can effectively replace asbestos in cloth, insulation and paper.
Expert Insight
“Prevention is the only cure to asbestos-caused illnesses. By banning asbestos, we limit exposure. Asbestos causes 40,000 deaths each year.”
Linda Reinstein, co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The phase-out of asbestos began when significant medical evidence linked asbestos to cancer. Labor unions began to fight back. American companies phased out most uses of asbestos in the 1980s, after courts ruled in the 1970s that asbestos manufacturers were strictly liable for failing to warn workers about the product’s dangers. By then, it was too late for the workers who handled asbestos products for decades.
1973
An asbestos insulator won the first major asbestos lawsuit.
1960s
Medical studies confirmed asbestos causes mesothelioma.
1933
Johns Manville settled 11 asbestosis lawsuits.
1930s
Asbestos companies researched health effects in secret and kept results hidden.
1927
A worker filed the first known workers’ compensation claim for asbestos-related disease.
Late 1800s
Asbestos mining became a big industry. It supplied raw and pure asbestos for industrial products.
Most of the asbestos that remains in buildings today is legacy asbestos. Asbestos is relatively safe if undisturbed. However, renovations, demolition, fire or natural disasters can release its fibers. These microscopic fibers can become airborne and be inhaled. Asbestos fibers are often exceptionally light and may remain airborne for around 48-72 hours. Older materials should always be professionally tested before beginning any project that may disturb them.
Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
Hundreds of thousands of patients and families have filed asbestos lawsuits. These claims provide vital compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. They cover medical bills and lost wages. Settlements typically average $1 million to $2 million in compensation for lawsuits, which usually settle out of court.
Loved ones who develop mesothelioma through secondhand asbestos exposure to asbestos may file a legal claim. People with mesothelioma may also file a claim against an asbestos trust fund. There is more than $30 billion available in active asbestos trust funds. You can hire mesothelioma lawyers who specialize in asbestos litigation. They can help you file a claim.
These claims hold the asbestos industry liable for the harm they’ve caused. Manufacturers hid evidence of the mineral’s health hazards. For years, they continued exposing workers and consumers.
Once you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’re probably going to get different lawyers contacting you. Choose a lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma cases and is the best one for you. Filing a claim is a way for us to seek justice.
Tamron Little, Mesothelioma Survivor
How to Protect Yourself From Asbestos Exposure
Employers need to keep workplaces safe to avoid asbestos exposure and protect workers. Homes, military bases, offices, schools and public buildings built before the 1980s are most likely to contain legacy asbestos materials.
It’s not safe for untrained individuals to remove asbestos. The EPA advises homeowners to avoid removing anything that could be asbestos. It’s better to hire certified asbestos professionals to protect your family.
In homes built before 1980, asbestos-containing materials are most commonly found in the following locations:
Attic and wall insulation, especially vermiculite-based products
Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive backing beneath them
Textured ceiling paint and patching compounds
Roofing shingles and exterior siding
Pipe insulation and duct wrap
Insulation around furnaces and wood-burning stoves
These materials are generally not dangerous if they are in good condition and left undisturbed. The risk comes when they are damaged, drilled, sanded or removed without professional precautions.
These experts are trained to prevent asbestos exposure. Sometimes, leaving asbestos materials in place or sealing them is safer. For the best advice, talk to a certified local asbestos abatement expert.
These agencies frequently update their websites with new information on upcoming bills, initiatives and other asbestos-related news.
Common Questions About Asbestos
When did asbestos first start being used?
Archeologists estimate people began using asbestos as early as 4000 B.C. Large-scale mining and manufacturing of asbestos boomed during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. By the mid-1900s, people knew asbestos was harmful. The U.S. government began regulating it in the 1970s.
How can you identify asbestos products?
The only way to identify asbestos is through lab testing or professional inspection. Microscopic asbestos fibers have no smell or taste. They’re not easily identified by sight. Homeowners should hire a licensed asbestos professional to collect samples for testing.
Friable asbestos materials, like old pipe lagging or popcorn ceilings, are easy to break or crumble by hand. When damaged, they can release toxic dust into the air. Nonfriable materials, like floor tiles or cement siding, keep asbestos fibers trapped as long as they remain undisturbed. Sawing, scraping or smashing the product may release fibers.
What are the first signs of asbestos exposure?
Exposure to asbestos fibers has no initial signs or symptoms. The first signs of asbestos poisoning include the beginning symptoms of related diseases. Asbestos-related diseases first show as shortness of breath, a dry cough and chest or abdominal pain. With a common 20- to 60-year latency period, many people don’t realize they were dangerously exposed until decades later.
How can you be tested for asbestos exposure?
Tests can detect asbestos fibers in lung tissue, lung fluid, urine, stool and mucus. The best way to confirm asbestos exposure is to examine a biopsy of lung tissue, which is rather invasive. These tests cannot determine how much asbestos is trapped in lung tissue. They also can’t predict whether a disease will develop.
Should I see a doctor if I have been exposed to asbestos?
See a doctor if you develop any symptoms following asbestos exposure, including shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough or chest pain. Tell your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure. Doctors typically begin with a physical examination and chest X-ray, and may also order pulmonary function tests or a CT scan to look for early signs of lung disease. If asbestos-related disease is suspected, ask for a referral to a specialist. After a mesothelioma diagnosis, get a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist.
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Walter Pacheco has worked at some of Florida's top newspapers, including the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel. He has nearly 20 years of experience writing about breaking news, economic development, medical breakthroughs and technology.
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Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
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Linda Reinstein , co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Tamron Little , Mesothelioma Survivor
