First, a little background on asbestos. It is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction and building materials from the 1950s to the 1980s, due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. However, over time it was discovered that asbestos fibers can be extremely harmful to human health, particularly when inhaled. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. For this reason, it is important to have any buildings or structures that were built before 2000 surveyed for asbestos.