Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in the construction industry until the 1980s. Asbestos has many desirable properties, such as fire-resistance, insulation, and durability. However, asbestos fibers are microscopic and can easily become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can stick to the lungs and cause serious health problems, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other respiratory diseases. The symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to manifest, which means that many people who were exposed to asbestos in the past are only now discovering their health damages.

The effects of asbestos exposure are not limited to workers in the construction, manufacturing, or mining industries. Residential or commercial properties built before the 1990s may contain asbestos in various forms, such as insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roof shingles, cement sheets, pipes, ducts, and more. Homeowners, tenants, or visitors who disturb or remove asbestos-containing materials without proper precautions and protective gear also run the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.