Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral commonly used in a variety of products, primarily used for its fire-resistant and insulating qualities throughout the 20th century.

It has since been used more sparingly after workers acquired mesothelioma and other illnesses after asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye, so workers often are unknowingly exposed to the cancer-causing agent. Any slight disturbance to the asbestos can result in billions of fibers being released into the air.

With more and more people now starting to show symptoms of mesothelioma from an exposure to asbestos decades ago, asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits have become the largest and most expensive mass tort in American history.

Asbestos products became a common structural component in buildings and even saw great use in residential housing. For example, asbestos was used in ceiling panels in homes across America, and even after it was banned for this use in 1979, builders were allowed to use up their remaining asbestos stock for years.

When working in an asbestos environment, wearing protection often does not provide enough safety. When the asbestos fibers are disturbed, they enter the air and may be inhaled by workers or other individuals at a later point. Only certain products containing asbestos have been banned in the United States due to their link with mesothelioma and other illnesses.