Asbestos (pronounced: / æ s ˈ b ɛ s t ə s / or / æ s ˈ b ɛ s t ɒ s /) is a term used to refer to six naturally occurring silicate are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fiber being composed of many microscopic 'fibrils' that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes. Asbestos is a well known health hazard, and use of it as a building ...