According to the Mesothelioma Center, asbestos kills nearly 40,000 Americans each year from malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. In the UK, around 5,000 people succumb annually to asbestos-related diseases. Once hailed as an incredibly versatile natural mineral around the world, used across a wide variety of industrial applications, asbestos is today banned by numerous countries. Where it is still used, strict regulations and enforcement govern its handling. So what exactly is asbestos, and why is it so dangerous?
Click through for a mine of information about this deadly mineral.