Asbestos

Asbestos is a generic term used to describe a variety of natural mineral fibers. From the early 1930s until the 1970s, manufacturers used asbestos to strengthen products and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos also resists corrosion and is a poor conductor of electricity. Because few products contained all of these properties, asbestos was widely used in the construction of homes, schools, and other buildings.

Until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos, although most products made today do not. The only way to get a positive identification of asbestos is to analyze a sample using a special type of microscope.



Understanding Asbestos - PA DEP