Asbestos was once thought to be just a regular material that could be used for a variety of different items. It was naturally growing, and it was heat resistant and very durable. It was also cheap, which made it that much more enticing for industries. Asbestos has been used for centuries. It was used in pottery, textiles, and many other things before we started using it as a construction material. Asbestos was used in products for decades until people began to take notice that this miracle fiber was also a killer. There is documentation dating back centuries that showed asbestos-caused illnesses. Once the United States took notice, it began to regulate the use of asbestos in construction products. Shockingly, with so many people diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, it is still not completely banned.

Asbestos causes severe illnesses of the respiratory tract. These illnesses can be severe. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two of the most severe illnesses that can stem from asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure is the only cause of mesothelioma, which is a cancer that affects your heart, stomach, and lungs. This alone should send fear through people and help them realize the dangers better, but people are still unsure how exposure occurs.
Many still believe the only way to be exposed is through industrial jobs, but this is the farthest from the truth! Asbestos exposure is happening in hospitals, schools, and even your own home. Asbestos exposure was once thought to affect miners, shipyard workers, and construction workers. This is no longer the case. Asbestos is a tiny fiber that cannot be seen, making it impossible to know if you have been exposed. Once exposed, asbestos fibers will sit in your lungs, where it will scar them, leading to severe illnesses in the future. If your home has never been tested for asbestos, please have it tested. A test could end up saving your life and your family’s lives in the future!