Q: What is asbestos?
A: Asbestos is a mineral that is mined, in a manner similar to other minerals such as iron, lead, and copper. There are many varieties of asbestos: the three most common are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Unlike most minerals, which turn into dust particles when crushed, asbestos breaks up into fine fibers that are too small to be seen by the human eye. Often, individual fibers are mixed with a material that binds them together, producing asbestos containing material (ACM).

Q: How long has asbestos been in use?
A: Asbestos was first used in the United States in the early 1900's, to insulate steam engines. After World War II, and for the next thirty years, people who constructed and renovated schools and other public buildings used asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) extensively. ACM's were used primarily to fireproof, insulate, soundproof, and decorate buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates there are ACM's in most of the nation's approximately 107,000 primary and secondary schools, and 733,000 public and commercial buildings.

Q: How many products contain asbestos?
A: One study estimated that 3,000 different types of commercial products once contained asbestos. The amount of asbestos in each product varied from as little as one percent to as much as 100 percent. Many older plastics, paper products, brake linings, floor tiles and textile products contain asbestos, as do many heavy industrial products such as sealants, cement pipe, cement sheets, and insulation. The law now prohibits the manufacture, processing and importation of most asbestos products.

Q: Why was asbestos so widely used?
A: Manufacturers and builders found asbestos useful for a variety of reasons. It is strong yet flexible, and it will not burn. It conducts electricity poorly, but insulates effectively. It also resists corrosion. Few other available substances have all of these qualities.