Asbestos is the commercial name for a group of naturally occurring magnesium silicate fibrous mineral found in certain rock formations, mined from open pit mines. Most of the asbestos used in the United States today comes from Canada. Asbestos was called the “miracle fiber” because the fibers were durable, strong, flexible, and resistant to wear. The fibers didn’t burn and didn’t conduct heat and electricity. Asbestos was not expensive, easy to work with, and it was abundant. The word “asbestos” described the nature of these fibers and is derived from a Greek word meaning “inextinguishable”. It could be used in so many different products.