Learn about asbestos
A plain-language guide to asbestos: what it is, the mineral types, where it appears, the health risks, how exposure happens and the history that made this material one of the most serious occupational health issues of the 20th and 21st century.
Topics
Start with the basics or jump directly into the topic that matters to you. All articles are evidence-based and updated regularly.
What is asbestos?
A clear, non-technical introduction to the mineral: how it forms, the physical properties that made it industrially attractive, and why those same properties make it a serious health hazard.
The six types of asbestos
Chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite — the six regulated asbestos minerals, their visual differences, uses, and relative toxicity.
Where asbestos is found
From ceiling tiles to brake pads, pipe insulation to roofing — the most common places where asbestos was installed in homes, schools, industrial buildings and vehicles.
How exposure happens
The pathways through which asbestos fibers reach the lungs: occupational exposure, secondary (household) exposure, environmental exposure and DIY renovation risks.
Health risks and diseases
The four main asbestos-related diseases — mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaques — their latency periods, diagnosis and prognosis.
A short history of asbestos
From antiquity to industrial peak to global bans: the 2,000-year story of a material called "magic mineral" and how the scientific evidence finally caught up.
Asbestos safety tips
Practical dos and don'ts for building owners, managers and occupants — from the asbestos register to emergency response and post-incident air testing.
Asbestos exposure risks
How fiber inhalation leads to disease: the aerodynamics of asbestos fibers, the dose-response relationship, highest-risk occupations and the 20-50 year latency period.
Asbestos health conditions
Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening — mechanisms, latency, symptoms, diagnosis and current treatment options explained.
Asbestos legal assistance
Compensation claims, employer liability and your rights — state schemes in the UK, France and Spain, evidence requirements, time limits and support for families.
Asbestos alternatives for homes
The materials that replaced the 'magic mineral' — mineral wool, fiber cement, calcium silicate, aramid fibers and more, with performance comparisons and health notes.
Looking for a specific term?
Our glossary covers every asbestos-related term, acronym and regulatory body — from ACM to Z-list.
Open the glossary