asbestos
/æsˈbɛstəs/
noun
- A naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is heat-resistant and was once widely used in building materials, but is now known to cause serious lung diseases.
- Workers must wear protective gear when removing asbestos from buildings.
- Many old schools contain asbestos in their ceiling tiles and pipe insulation.
- Exposure to asbestos can lead to cancer decades after the contact occurs.