Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that continues to be used by builders and manufacturers in cars, buildings, and thousands of household products.  Asbestos is a proven human carcinogen, and the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Surgeon General have declared that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.  Even limited exposure over a short period of time can lead to disease decades later.  Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases claim the lives of more than 10,000 Americans each year. More than 50 countries worldwide have banned asbestos. Though safe substitutes exist, the United States has still not banned asbestos.