Asbestos is the name of several naturally occurring fibrous minerals mined for their properties. The fibrous minerals are used in products for thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength.
Before the 1990s, asbestos was more widely used in various building materials, including ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roofing shingles, pipes, boilers, water heaters, popcorn ceilings, and textured surfacing materials typically found on walls and ceilings. Asbestos exposure can occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, releasing fibers into the air. This may happen during demolition work, building, home maintenance, repair, or remodeling.
Regulation of asbestos in Colorado is provided by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division: