Breathing asbestos dust can be harmful, but a few simple precautions will help to reduce the risk. This article will help you to identify asbestos materials and indicates some steps to take to protect yourself and your family.
Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of many small fibres.
All can be harmful if dust containing the fibre is breathed in. Asbestos has been used about the home in building materials and consumer goods. It was particularly used to resist heat and for fire protection though in recent years a number of alternative or substitute products have been developed. Nevertheless, it is still possible to encounter asbestos products and, while these are not in themselves dangerous, as potential sources of fibrous dust they must be treated with caution. The inhalation of asbestos dust is dangerous and can cause a number of diseases including cancer, often many years after the first exposure to asbestos.