Once asbestos was found to be heat and fire resistant, it has been widely used. Unfortunately, as we later found, it can cause a myriad of health problems, including cancer.Asbestos has been in widespread use since the late 1800’s. It is heat and fire resistant, and very versatile, making it very attractive to manufacturers regardless of the long-term health risks. Limitations were placed on the manufacture of new products containing asbestos in the 1980’s but it can still be found in older homes and buildings, older products, and some new products. Symptoms of asbestos related illness often do not show up for 10 to 50 years after exposure, and once they do, illness can progress rapidly.

Asbestos related illnesses
Asbestos causes illness hen the fibers get into your body, usually by inhalation, but they can also be ingested. Health problems caused by asbestos include:
· Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs)
· Heart failure
· Kidney cancer
· Larynx cancer
· Lung cancer
· Mesothelioma
· Other cancers

Mesothelioma is cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It affects the lining around your organs. Pleural mesothelioma affects the membrane lining the lungs and is the most common form of mesothelioma. It is not the same as lung cancer. Mesothelioma is fatal, there is no cure, and it is excruciatingly painful.

Symptoms of asbestos related illness
After asbestos exposure, symptoms can take 10 to 50 years to appear. According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms of asbestos related illnesses include:
· Shortness of breath
· A cough or a change in cough pattern
· Blood in the fluid coughed up from the lungs
· Pain in the chest or abdomen
· Difficulty in swallowing
· Prolonged hoarseness
· Significant weight loss

Who is at risk?
Anyone can be exposed to asbestos. It is in the materials our homes and schools were built with. It is in many common household items. Due to its heat and fire resistance, it is use more heavily in certain industries. Jobs, industries, and work environments which carry an elevated risk of asbestos exposure include:
· Appliance manufacturing
· Asbestos removal
· Construction
· Demolition
· Mining
· Oil refineries
· Shipyards
· Steel mills
· Power plants
· Railroads
· Automotive manufacturing and repair

Thousands of products contain asbestos, possibly over 5,000. Many are common household items including:
· Oven mitts
· Ironing board covers
· Toasters
· Hair dryers
· Chalkboards
· Potting soil
· Rope
· Yarn
· Fake snow

Remodeling you home Remodeling your home can release asbestos fibers that were sealed and contained. This is most likely to happen in older homes. When asbestosis is sealed, it does not cause harm. When you tear into construction materials containing asbestos it can let loose a shower of fibers instantly exposing you and your family. If you suspect that your home may contain asbestos, talk to an asbestos abatement professional before remodeling your home and do not try to remove the asbestos yourself.