Asbestos: Helpful Aspects vs. Harmful Effects The earth has over two thousand different types of minerals as stated in the World Book of Instant Facts, and one of them is Asbestos. Asbestos is a long time resourceful mineral that is commonly used for construction work. Currently, it is being challenged for the harmful effects it has on the human body. Lawfirms are contributing the use of asbestos-containing materials to the rise of the rate of some fatal diseases. Asbestos is a widely known building material but, it has harmful effects. Since asbestos is a soft, threadlike mineral fiber that forms in certain types of rocks found throughout t