Where is asbestos found is a common question. Many people are unaware that asbestos is found in many places in the natural environment and is mined from the ground. The term asbestos actually refers to six minerals that are mined: chrysotile, tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and actinolite.
In fact, there is a naturally occurring level of asbestos in the air around us: about 0.00001 to 0.0001 fibers per milliliter, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The measurement of asbestos in fibers is important — asbestos tends to break up into fibers that are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
In the Ground, In the Air
Asbestos is essentially found everywhere—in the ground, in the air, and in thousands of products in our living and working environments. It is one of the most effective insulators known, and many building products use asbestos for its heat-, flame- and friction-resistant properties.
In Your Lungs?
Asbestos fibers are so small that once they are released into the air, they can stay suspended in the air for hours — or even for days. The fibers don't disappear or evaporate either. They don't dissolve in water. They don't break down. They're very resistant to heat and chemicals. When the fibers are inadvertently inhaled by a human being or an animal, they lodge in the lungs or other internal organs where they can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma , and other diseases.
In Workplaces and Homes
Asbestos is found in our homes, schools, libraries, theaters, municipal buildings, and more. The mineral is found at especially high levels in several occupational settings, such as:
Learn More about Asbestos Exposure
If you are concerned about where asbestos is found in your community or workplace, contact us today.