Asbestos

A group of naturally occurring minerals that separate into long, thin fibers. Asbestos was used for many years to insulate and fireproof buildings. In the 1989 CBECS, information on asbestos in buildings was collected (Section R of the Buildings Questionnaire) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos treatment methods include removal, encapsulation or sealing, and enclosure behind a permanent barrier.