Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals composed of thin, needle-like fibers. These fibers are found in soil and rocks in many parts of the world.

Asbestos is dangerous because it has the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. ... Once lodged in the lung tissue, these fibers can cause several serious diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung cavity).

ACM stands for asbestos-containing material and buildings constructed prior to 1990, are likely to contain asbestos materials in places like:

• Attic insulation
• Stipple ceilings
• Plumbing fixtures
• Electrical panels
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Drywall and cement sheets
• Plaster, putties and caulking materials
• Boiler and fireplace insulation

It is very difficult to identify the presence of asbestos just by looking at it. As a general rule, certain building materials installed before the late 1980s may contain asbestos. However, the only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material analysed by a laboratory.

A visual inspection of your home is usually not sufficient to determine if it contains asbestos. Instead, samples of suspected asbestos fibers should be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.

You can live in a house with asbestos. If you live in an old house, the chances are that you have been living with asbestos for some time. When the asbestos-containing material is disturbed, deteriorating, or broken, however, it can be harmful to your health.