Asbestos is a mineral with long, fibrous crystals. It is able to withstand heat, but it is also very toxic. Asbestos was first used widely in the late 1800s because of its resistance to heat. It was often woven into fabric or mats, or mixed with cement and used in buildings due to its flame-retardant and insulating properties.

There are six varieties of asbestos, but the most commonly used is chrysotile which is found in serpentine rock. Even though some countries have banned its use, almost 2.3 million tons are stilled mined yearly by countries such as Russia and China.

Asbestos was used in ship building during World War II. During the 1970s, it was found that many of those employed at the shipyards became ill with mesothelioma, a type of cancer where malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most often, in asbestos exposure, the cancer is found in the lungs. Unfortunately, smoking greatly increases the risk of this type of cancer when the person is also exposed to asbestos. Workers in the shipyard were very likely to be smokers.

Over 100,000 people have died from asbestos related mesothelioma. Today, Mesothelioma lawyers are specialists in helping those exposed to asbestos receive some sort of monetary settlement for their suffering. These lawyers have also help exposed the companies that knew the dangers of asbestos, yet refused to protect their employees.

In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection agency issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule which required schools and business to remove asbestos from ceilings and walls. Asbestos is still allowed in certain products including disc brake pads, drum brake linings, vinyl-asbestos floor tile and roof coatings.