With all the information we read about the dangers of asbestos exposure and all the litigation stemming from victims of asbestos related diseases, you might wonder why asbestos products still exist. And, in fact, many countries have banned asbestos all together. However, in the US, asbestos is still used for some purposes. Though it can be extremely hazardous, asbestos has some great qualities. Asbestos is very inexpensive to mine and process, making it a budget friendly material. It is also very sound absorbent and very fire resistant. These are the primary reasons asbestos was originally chosen as the perfect insulation material for homes and commercial applications. Today, asbestos is commonly found in brake shoes and household appliances. In these uses, asbestos is thought to be safe because the fibers are totally encapsulated in solid structures, so they cannot be released into the air. For many, of course, it seems that asbestos benefits can never outweigh the dangers to those exposed to the fibers in the air, yet the product is still widely used in the United States, just in different applications than in previous years.