If disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled. The fibers may be present for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that can crumble easily if handled or has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder is more likely to create a health hazard. People who work in industries that mine or use asbestos products and those that live near these industries are at risk of exposure. Many of these industries, such as construction, demolition and renovation, textile and insulation production, and automotive brake and clutch repair, use asbestos-containing products like insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles.
