Before regulations reduced the risk of exposure, Asbestos was a popular product due to resistence to heat, use as an effective insulator, and as a filler in many products such as cement, shingles, and flooring products.
Asbestos was used across several industries including Mining, Shipbuilding & Repair, Manufacturing, Construction, and even the Military.
Unfortunately for people exposed to Asbestos Fibers, it carried serious risks for severe side effects...some of which took 20-50 years to reveal themselves.
The most serious being Mesothelioma, which is a rare and deadly form of cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure. This form of cancer typically occurs in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, or heart.