Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that has been used for centuries in a range of products, including building materials, brake pads, and electrical insulation. Although it was once hailed as a miracle material due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties, we now know that asbestos can pose serious health risks when it is disturbed and its fibers become airborne.

When inhaled, the sharp asbestos fibers can embed themselves in the lungs and cause a range of diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These conditions typically take decades to develop, which is why asbestos is often referred to as the "silent killer."