It’s common for people to think of natural products as healthy and safe, while they consider chemicals and other man-made elements to carry a greater level of risk. To avoid the development of cancer later in life, for instance, people will use only natural products.
You know that asbestos can cause mesothelioma, which is why it is largely outlawed in the United States. It used to be a popular substance for use in tiles, insulation and many other products, but the risks were clear when people who were exposed began to develop cancer and related conditions.
So, is asbestos a dangerous man-made product, or is it actually something found in nature?
Asbestos is found in stone
The reality is that asbestos is definitely a natural product. It is found in stone, with specific emphasis on three different kinds of rock: Mafic rock, altered ultramafic rock and serpentinite rock. The fibers can be extracted and used in man-made products, like insulation, but they do have an all-natural origin.
In fact, asbestos has been used for centuries because of the way that it withstands heat. In modern times, before learning about its cancer risks, people learned to use it in fabricated products, but its natural origins mean that it has been a staple in construction and other industries for a long time.
Have you developed mesothelioma?
Even though it’s natural and often found in nature, the level of exposure you’ll get from these natural sources is very low. If you have developed mesothelioma, it is likely from exposure to man-made products containing asbestos. Make sure you understand exactly how that exposure could have happened and what steps you need to take.