Asbestos was once extensively used in building materials, but it has since largely been banned because it leads to a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This is a very dangerous disease and it tends to be fatal, so asbestos is no longer used for most applications.
That being said, you may have an older home – or you may work in an occupation such as doing home renovations – where there is still an exposure risk. Even though asbestos is not actively being used in insulation or tile today, for instance, insulation and tile that is being replaced may still contain it. Bathroom and kitchen renovations are especially problematic.
You want to avoid any exposure risk, so will you be able to identify asbestos by sight?
Different colored fibers
Most of the time, asbestos looks like long, thin fibers. It is usually blue, brown or white. These can be very thin fibers that look something like hair, and they may have a crystal-like structure.
That said, you can only view asbestos like this when it is clumped up. Each individual fiber may be too small to see and many pieces are microscopic.
In fact, most people who are exposed never identify the asbestos at all, at least not at the time. They may simply think that they are inhaling wood dust and other particles on the job. But there could be microscopic asbestos particles mixed into that dust, as someone removes tile or insulation from a home, and the exposure could still take place.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you certainly want to take the time to look into all of the legal options at your disposal.