Asbestos is a silicate material naturally occurring in the environment. It was used during the early 20th-century in construction material because of its light, strong, and fire-retardant properties.
Asbestos contains microfibres which pose a grave health risk to those subject to prolonged exposure. When inhaled, the fibres attach to the lungs, damaging tissue and causing life-threatening diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.