Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that can only be identified under a microscope.
There are several types of these flexible, fire-resistant fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and provide heat insulation and fire resistance. In most products, asbestos is combined with a binding material so that it is not readily released into the air. However, if asbestos should become airborne and is inhaled, it can remain in the lungs for a long period of time, producing the risk for severe health problems that do not appear until many years later. More that 3,000 products in use today contain asbestos.