Asbestos

         Asbestos is a very lethal airborne hazard in many job sites and even in your homes. Asbestos has been used widely thought many industries due to it not being able to conduct electricity and it being resistant to fire,heat, and chemicals. These naturally occurring  minerals have been used in the production of items such as vehicle clutches and brakes, insulation, flooring and ceiling tiles, roofs and other building materials due to its resistance to corrosion. Now that this material has been associated with many health risks, it is now highly regulated by OSHA and the EPA in order to prevent long term health problems for workers. There are many different forms associated with these asbestos fibers. Some of these types include chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, and tremolite. The fibers that are associated with asbestos are very small and can not be seen with the naked eye. This is why asbestos is so dangerous to humans. Breathing in these fibers causes asbestosis in the lungs which is a buildup of scar like tissues. This disease often causes a loss of lung function and can progress to disability and even death. Asbestos can also cause other diseases such as mesothelioma and is even associated with lung cancer. It is proven that all asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma in humans. Since the late 1800's asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America and its use increased exponentially during World War II. In 1979 manufacturers of electric hairdryers discontinued their use of asbestos in their products. Asbestos was banned in the manufacturing of wallboard patching products and gas fireplaces in the late 1970's by the CSPC (U.S. consumer product safety commission) due to the fact that the asbestos fibers in these products could get released into the environment during use. Overall asbestos has been regarded as a very dangerous carcinogen and humans should try to avoid it as much as they could.
Asbestos risk (Cancer.gov)
OSHA

The first picture is an asbestos ceiling tile which can be found in the workplace and household.
The second picture is an asbestos roof which can be found on very old homes.