Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that has been mined for more than 4,000 years. Around the turn of the 19th century, manufacturers started using asbestos in a number of applications, primarily because of its low cost, sound absorption, tensile strength, and resistance to electrical, chemical, or fire damage. It was used extensively in insulation, including electrical wire insulation.
Toward the end of the 20th century, scientists discovered that asbestos has carcinogenic qualities. If it is inhaled, it can be lodged in lung tissue or in the lining of the lungs, causing cancer.
