Asbestos (play /æsˈbɛstəs/ or /æzˈbɛstəs/; from Greek ἄσβεστος, "unquenchable" or "inextinguishable")[1][2] is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals exploited commercially for their desirable physical properties.[2] They all have in common their, eponymous, asbestiform habit, long, (1:20) thin fibrous crystals. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a formerly rare cancer strongly associated with exposure to amphibole asbestos), and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis). Long exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibers is more likely to cause health problems. The European Union has banned all use of asbestos[3] and extraction, manufacture and processing of asbestos products.[4]

Extracted from www.wikipedia.org.