At some point in your life, you may have seen signs warning of asbestos. When I was in a youth orchestra, the timpanis were stored in a closet that had that sign on it. I was always a little freaked out by it, but I didn't really need to be - no tiles were crumbling, I wasn't actually working in the closet, and I really wasn't at risk.
However, many people have been exposed to asbestos in a lot of ways. Most of them are workers, but some - such as Heather von St. James - were actually exposed to it in sort of a secondary way. She wore her dad's work jacket and was exposed to the fibers then. Fortunately, she survived, after lung removal and a series of treatments, but not many people do.
Asbestos fibers are tiny little pieces that can get into lungs and contribute to lung cancer and mesothelioma. The danger is very real, especially in older buildings that aren't well-maintained, and yet, asbestos isn't illegal in the United States.
Be sure to educate yourself about the risks of asbestos exposure, including common workplace hazards. Make sure your workplace has a policy for handling asbestos issues, and if you and your family live in or frequently visit an older building (school, library, etc) it's worth talking to representatives of those buildings to be able to protect yourself and your family.
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