Asbestos building materials, which have caused asbestos exposure, have been linked to many forms of cancer such as pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and asbestosis.

All types of asbestos tend to break into small fibers that can't be seen by the human eye. Asbestos fibers can not be destroyed. They are resistant to extreme weather and chemicals, and they are very stable in the environment. They do not dissipate in the air and they are not water soluble, and they are not broken down over time. Due to asbestos durability it has been used in many home building products, such as asbestos siding (also known as asbestos cement siding), asbestos floor tiles, asbestos ceiling tiles, and asbestos shingles for roofs or siding.

Usually asbestos is mixed with other materials to actually form asbestos siding,ceiling and flooring tiles and shingles. Depending on what the building material is, the amount of asbestos in the asbestos product may vary. For example asbestos flooring tiles contain little percentage of asbestos, whereas asbestos siding contains a larger percentage.

Asbestos materials does not cause harmful mesothelioma cancer unless it is released into the air, because it can be inhaled into the body. The asbestos fibers may go to the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract, which can cause harmful effects, such as mesothelioma or asbestos cancer.

Asbestos siding, asbestos ceiling tiles, asbestos floor tiles,asbestos shingles will not release asbestos fibers unless they are broken or damaged somehow. If asbestos siding is drilled,grinded,or sawed it can be harmful, for example. Same applies to asbestos ceiling tiles and asbestos shingles and asbestos floor tiles.

Asbestos pipe insulation and boiler insulation does not cause harm unless the canvas cover is damaged.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis; the disease is usually disabling or fatal. The risk of asbestosis is minimal for those who have had no asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which most often occurs in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, chest, and abdomen. A couple hundreds cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed yearly in the USA. Almost all mesothelioma diagnosis are attributed to asbestos exposure. Mesotehlioma usually occurs 10 - 30 years after asbestos exposure.

Because of the cancerous effects of asbestos exposure, if you believe your house contains any asbestos containing products such as asbestos siding, asbestos ceiling tiles, asbestos roof tiles or asbestos shingles, you should have asbestos testing performed. Do not do the work yourself if you have asbestos products, you need to contact a licensed asbestos abatement worker to perform asbestos removal of your asbestos containing products.