Many industries once used asbestos in a wide range of products, from insulation to fire retardants. It is now understood that exposure to this dangerous mineral can lead to fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
In this context, public health advocates and environmental groups keep insisting on the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still needs to close a couple of loopholes that continue to allow asbestos to find its way into people's lungs.