<unk>  (pronounced: or ) is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fibre being composed of many microscopic "fibrils" that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes. Inhalation of<unk>  fibres can lead to various dangerous lung conditions, including mesothelioma,<unk> is, and lung cancer, so it is now notorious as a serious health and safety hazard. Archaeological studies have found evidence of<unk>  being used as far back as the Stone Age to strengthen ceramic pots, but large-scale mining began at the end of the 19th century when manufacturers and builders began using<unk>  for its desirable physical properties.<unk>  is an excellent electrical insulator and is highly fire-resistant, so for much of the 20th century it was very commonly used across the world as a building material, until its adverse effects on human health were more widely acknowledged in the 1970s. Many modern buildings constructed before the 1980s are thought to contain<unk> . The use of<unk>  for construction and fireproofing has been made illegal in many countries. Despite this, at least 100,000 people are thought to die each year from diseases related to<unk>  exposure. In part, this is because many older buildings still contain<unk> ; in addition, the consequences of exposure can take decades to arise. The most common diseases associated with chronic<unk>  exposure are<unk> is (scarring of the lungs due to<unk>  inhalation) and mesothelioma (cancer associated with<unk> . Many developing countries still support the use of<unk>  as a building material, and mining of<unk>  is ongoing, with top producer Russia having an estimated production of 790,000 tonnes in 2020.
Asbestos
Coal tar
Polychlorinated biphenyl
Vinyl chloride
Mustard gas
Benzene
Naphthalene
Tobacco smoke