Before you consider asbestos removal, it is crucial to understand what asbestos is, its properties, and the risks it poses to human health. Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals found in the earth's crust. Asbestos minerals have unique heat resistance, tensile strength, and insulation properties, which made them popular building materials from the late 19th century to the mid-1980s.

Asbestos materials were commonly used in insulation, roofing, flooring, pipes, cement, and other applications because of their durability and resistance to fire, heat, and chemicals. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers are tiny, invisible to the naked eye, and can stay in the air for hours, increasing the risk of inhalation and ingestion. Even a small amount of asbestos exposure can cause significant health hazards, especially in individuals with pre-existing lung conditions, smokers, or elderly people.