Asbestos Information
We’ve gathered asbestos information and resources to help you learn more about the mineral and what to do if you encounter it.
- Written by Daniel King
- Edited By Walter Pacheco
- Medically Reviewed By Dr. Sanjay R. Jain
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
- Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
Testimonials
"My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family."LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
How to Cite Asbestos.com’s Article
APA
King, D. (2022, October 4). Asbestos Information. Asbestos.com. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/information/
MLA
King, Daniel. "Asbestos Information." Asbestos.com, 4 Oct 2022, https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/information/.
Chicago
King, Daniel. "Asbestos Information." Asbestos.com. Last modified October 4, 2022. https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/information/.
Table Of Contents
Asbestos is a mineral that was incorporated into thousands of domestic, commercial and industrial products. Millions of American workers were exposed to asbestos throughout the 20th century, and every year approximately 39,000 Americans die of asbestos-related diseases.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has regulated six types of asbestos, but the mineral has not been banned in the U.S.
Though once contested, it has been scientifically proven that exposure to any type of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer.
Information about Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure is the No. 1 cause of work-related deaths in the world. Information about asbestos-related diseases shows lung cancer is the most common, followed by mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and asbestosis.
- Most asbestos exposure happens on the job when people work with asbestos products.
- Microscopic asbestos fibers can become airborne through work-related tasks, environmental disturbance or natural disasters.
- The human body can expel some inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers, but some fibers become stuck. Over time, these fibers cause genetic damage that lead to asbestos-related diseases.
Where Does Asbestos Exposure Happen?
Asbestos exposure primarily happens in workplaces such as factories, manufacturing plants, mills, chemical plants and power plants. Because asbestos was so widely used in construction materials, exposure can also occur in public buildings such as schools, shopping centers and government buildings.
Asbestos exposure has been a serious ongoing concern in the following places:
- Schools
- Shipyards
- Various locations and facilities in the U.S. military
- Superfund sites (highly contaminated areas)
Secondary Exposure
Many workers who used asbestos on the job unknowingly brought asbestos home on their work clothes, shoes, skin and hair. Anyone who lived with an asbestos worker was at risk of exposure. This is called secondary exposure and it is responsible for many cases of mesothelioma in women and children.
Major Asbestos Manufacturers
More than 70 U.S. companies have manufactured or distributed asbestos products. Throughout the 20th century, these companies used asbestos resources to make a wide variety of products. At least 60 asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy as a result of asbestos litigation.
Top U.S. asbestos manufacturers include:
Occupational Exposure
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than 75 occupational groups exposed workers to asbestos. The workers most at risk of occupational exposure include:
- Construction workers
- Auto mechanics
- Firefighters
- Shipyard workers
- Insulators
- Power plant workers
- Miners
- Boiler workers
- Factory workers
- Industrial workers
- Steel mill workers
- Textile mill workers
Asbestos Products
Asbestos was incorporated into thousands of products before regulations were implemented in the 1970s. The most common products were used in construction, manufacturing and industrial work.
Common asbestos-containing products include:
- Insulation
- Gaskets
- Vinyl tiles
- Asbestos sheets
- Flooring and roofing materials
Current Asbestos Use
Even though more than 60 countries have banned asbestos, data shows the mineral is heavily traded around the globe. The U.S. has not banned asbestos and it is importing more raw asbestos compared to previous years.
Asbestos legislation has regulated asbestos in the U.S., but the Environmental Protection Agency said in July 2022 that it would propose a ban on the ongoing use of asbestos.
Past usage of asbestos continues to place Americans at risk of exposure. For example, New Yorkers were exposed to asbestos in the wake of the 9/11 attacks because asbestos insulation was used in the World Trade Center.
Asbestos Resources
Asbestos resources offer scientifically proven information about the mineral including what it is, the diseases it causes and how you can avoid exposure.
Valuable resources and websites for asbestos information:
- Your Guide to Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company
- Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
If you think you’ve encountered an asbestos product, do not touch it or disturb it in any way. Call a licensed asbestos abatement company for their professional opinion and guidance.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past, monitor your health closely and tell your primary care physician about your history of exposure. Ask for annual health screenings for cancer and lung disease. Taking these proactive steps may identify early signs of disease and open the door for more effective treatment.
