Asbestos Resource Center

Everything You Need to Know About Asbestos

From what asbestos is to how it causes disease, where it was used, and what to do if you find it — comprehensive information for workers, homeowners, and families.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Used widely in construction, manufacturing, and industrial products throughout the 20th century, asbestos is now known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious diseases. Despite EPA regulations beginning in the 1970s and a final ban on chrysotile asbestos in 2024, legacy asbestos remains in millions of buildings, and workers in construction, demolition, and maintenance continue to face exposure today.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of microscopic fibers. Learn what asbestos is, why it was used, and why it causes cancer....

Common Asbestos-Containing Products

From pipe insulation to brake pads, asbestos was used in thousands of products. Learn which products contained asbestos....

How Asbestos Exposure Happens

Asbestos exposure occurs through occupational work, secondary contact, environmental exposure, and military service. Learn the four pathways....

Asbestos Regulations and Ban History

From 1970s OSHA regulations to the EPA 2024 final ban, understand U.S. asbestos regulation history....

Asbestos Testing and Identification

How to test for asbestos in your home or workplace....

Asbestos Removal and Abatement

The proper process for asbestos removal — from licensed contractors to EPA and OSHA protocols....

Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural diseases....

Frequently Asked Questions

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals composed of microscopic fibers. It was widely used in construction, manufacturing, and industrial products throughout the 20th century because of its fire resistance, durability, and insulating properties.

Chrysotile asbestos — the only type in active U.S. commerce — was banned by EPA in 2024. However, legacy asbestos remains in millions of buildings, and the ban does not require removal of existing asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and ovarian cancer. All asbestos diseases have long latency periods of 20–50 years.

The only reliable way to confirm asbestos is laboratory testing by a certified asbestos inspector. Homes built before 1980 are most likely to contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, ceiling materials, pipe wrapping, and siding.