Asbestos

Carcinogenic fibrous silicate mineral

Asbestos

Asbestos or asbestus ( ass-BES-təs, az-, -⁠toss) is a group of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals that have been used for thousands of years to create flexible fire-resistant objects, such as fireproof fabrics. It is toxic and carcinogenic. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, with each fibre (particulate with length substantially greater than width) composed of many microscopic "fibrils" that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes.

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