What exactly is asbestos and where is it used?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with fibers that are resistant to fire, heat and corrosion, and are still used today in India, China, and the Developing World. After mining, asbestos fibers are made into products that are used for insulation, fire protection, corrosion resistance and to add bulk to many other products. Products containing asbestos may include insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, wallboard, cement piping, sheet rock joint components, to name just a few. Surprisingly, asbestos is still present in many buildings, schools, industrial sites, schools, auto parts and home insulation.