Activities around Asbestos Asbestos is a general name for a
group of naturally-occurring minerals composed of small fibers.
It is common in many building materials. Airborne asbestos
contamination in buildings can be a significant environmental
problem. Various diseases have been associated with industrial
exposure to asbestos fibers, and the extensive use of asbestos
in building materials has raised some concern about exposure in
non-industrial settings. In general, however, airborne asbestos
levels in buildings are much lower than those in industrial
workplaces that involve asbestos. The presence of asbestos in a
building does not mean that the health of building occupants is
endangered. As long as asbestos-containing materials (ACM)
remain in good condition and are not disturbed or damaged,
exposure is unlikely. Building maintenance, repair, renovation,
or other activities can lead to fiber release. You should become
familiar with the types of materials in your buildings that
could contain asbestos. Three