Asbestos is a useful material made of six different fibrous minerals, namely: chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. These asbestos minerals come from mines throughout the world, including mines in such locations as South America, Australia and Canada. Best known for its heat retardant capacity, asbestos is used in such products as roofing shingles, automobile brake pads, floor tiles, and assorted gaskets. Asbestos wraps were also commonly used over the years to insulate heating ducts and water pipes in homes, offices, and other buildings.

While asbestos has some outstanding benefits and is part of a number of useful products, it also has numerous hazardous aspects to it. Individuals exposed to asbestos fibers can suffer lung damage, heart damage, cancer, and other disabilities. Exposure to asbestos has also proven deadly. The negative aspects of asbestos have caused quite a stir since the 1960's, when many of the problems associated with asbestos were discovered. Lawsuits seeking damages for asbestos-related disabilities and deaths have often been in the news.

In general, almost everyone has been exposed to some sort of asbestos. Asbestos fibers enter the air and water during the routine breakdown of asbestos products. These fibers neither evaporate nor dissolve. For example, when the brakes are applied to a car, asbestos fibers are released into the air. While such limited exposure is not necessarily cause for alarm, repeated exposure, or exposure to large amounts of asbestos, can lead to the problems described earlier.

Employees of businesses that mine asbestos minerals or make asbestos products have a much greater risk of asbestos exposure than the average citizen. Citizens who live near asbestos manufacturing plants risk exposure to asbestos, as well. Asbestosis is the term used to describe the disease for those who suffer from lung-related problems due to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a serious disease that may result from overexposure to asbestos.

In light of the many concerns about asbestos, many homeowners, schools, and businesses have sought to have asbestos products removed from their premises. Typically, the asbestos removal process, known as asbestos abatement, requires compliance with strict procedures to insure hazardous fibers are not released into the air, and thus endangering others. While working on hazardous projects like this, the abatement workers wear protective clothing and masks to insure their own protection.