Asbestos consists of microscopically small particles, called asbestos fibers that can become airborne as products containing this material get disturbed or damaged. Asbestos is a natural occurrence and it has been used for commercial purposes because of its remarkable product properties. However, the material is also friable, which means it breaks up easily under very little pressure, and that's when the fibers get released into the air and therefore might get inhaled or ingested. Asbestos in its natural form can be found in 20 of the United States. Some States are known for be their asbestos mining sites. The material comes in six different types and each type is further classified into two fiber categories, namely chrysotile and amphibole. Chrysotile asbestos consists of layers of curly fibers and is, for example, used for the production of insulation sheets. This type of asbestos accounts for the majority of all the related illness that are associated with asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma. As explained earlier, asbestos was widely used commercially because of thermal qualities and chemical resistance. This made it a perfect material for all kinds of products that required resilience to heat and fire, and therefore greatly appreciated by the building and construction industry. Asbestos containing materials was used for roofing, flooring, but also for decoration and sound proofing purposes. Therefore, it can still be found in many homes, factories, schools and other public buildings. Asbestos fibers are used as a supplement to enhance the quality of other products. A typical example is the Portland Cement - asbestos fibers were regularly added to make it more sturdy and resistant to fire. If an asbestos containing product remains intact, there is nothing to be concerned about. However, if it starts to deteriorate or if it gets damaged, the friable fibers become airborne. Individuals, who are exposed to asbestos, especially when their exposure is on a regular basis and to high concentrations of the carcinogenic fibers, find themselves at a significantly higher risk of contracting asbestos induced health conditions. Thus, workers who come in occupational contact to the material rank among those with the highest risk. Possible illnesses that are linked back to the inhalation of the asbestos particles are asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and a number of other cancers, including cancer of the kidney. Asbestosis is not cancerous, but a serious chronically respiratory condition and in some cases the precursor to even more severe illnesses, such as mesothelioma and other cancers.