Again. Tell me it's different from cigarettes or even cigars? Even alcohol.....nothing's "safe" until you live on a farm in Montana away from cars, people, everything. I'm simply trying to put perspective on a demonized chemical. My dad worked hvac for 40yrs. Before anyone even knew that asbestos even was dangerous. No one he knows has mesothelioma, if you know someone I'm sorry but don't start getting cray about removing it from your own house. If it's worth the money have a professional do it. It's an airborne carcinogen........that's it. Mask up and get rid of it.
It is very different from alcohol, cig's, wood dust and other known carcinogins. Asbestos is a mineral not a chemical. It's been used in all kinds of materials and in each and every category the workers have developed mesothelioma/asbestosis. So did their wives and kids. All well documented. It was used for auto brake pads/shoes and a whole class of auto workers got cancer. To downplay its danger after all these years is beyond me. Science is science. Ignore it at your own risk. Lots of crap we use, chemicals etc. should be banned. It's not demonizing, fear mongering it's putting our health above some SOB scamming to make $. And, it's been known to cause cancer for decades, since the 1920's and 30's, and nothing was done.
My father was a welder. Worked building ocean liners, jets etc. Between the asbestos insulation, protective gear and the flux almost all and I mean all his buddies died of cancer. He had 3 different types of cancer since he was 45. He was a tough SOB so made till he was 87 so it didn't really get him. But, little stories don't tell the real facts anyway. Do it right for yourself, family and other people who may be affected.