In spite of the efforts of raising awareness on the significant presence of asbestos in the environment, it is surprising that many remain oblivious to the dangers of exposure to its airborne fibers. Having contact to these harmful fibers can cause serious diseases that generally have poor prognosis. One of these is mesothelioma, which symptoms may take 10 to 50 years before they become visible.

Despite being later considered a miracle mineral, it was already apparent during the Roman Empire that asbestos exposure caused severe pulmonary problems. However, it was not until the use of asbestos gained attention in the 1900s when these diseases were linked to the carcinogen.

Primarily used for insulation and fire-resistant materials, asbestos was widely utilized for a myriad of reasons: from building materials to manufactured products. It was also commonly found in residential and commercial structures, particularly those built before the 1980s. To give you more information, here’s an infographic from AWARE, an asbestos disposal and demolitions company that explains the dangers of asbestos and the removal process in homes.