system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What actually is Asbestos?

I keep hearing about it in different contexts but still am not too sure what it is why it was considered good and turned out to be bad. Anyone know?
gpt
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral. People have been using it since antiquity because it is flame resistant. Even the Ancient Greeks knew about it. During the Industrial Revolution it was mined at large scale, and used in all sorts of products - insulation for homes, textiles, bricks...

The problem with asbestos is that when you cut it, you release tiny fibers into the air, and these tiny fibers are incredibly sharp. So you breathe in the tiny fibers, and they cause tiny holes in your lungs. Long-term this leads to scarring of the lungs, a condition referred to as asbestosis. You can also develop cancer in the lining of your lungs, which is referred to as mesothelioma.