The use of asbestos was extremely common in homes built before 1970 and is still used today, however, many asbestos materials are no longer allowed for indoor construction uses. The great durability of asbestos is the very reason it is so dangerous. Inhaled microscopic fibers remain in the body forever and are impossible to remove. According to The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration there is no safe level of exposure known. Asbestos is known to cause lung and bowel cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and noncancerous lung diseases.
Lung cancer is responsible for the largest number of deaths due to asbestos exposure.
When combined with smoking the risk factor appears to multiply by 5, greatly increasing the odds of developing lung cancer. Asbestosis is more uncommon than lung cancer or mesothelioma at nonoccupational levels. Symptoms generally do not appear for 10 to 30 years after the exposure. Therefore, asbestos related injury to the body may have already occurred long before its effects are detectable. Use caution when collecting the sample.