1.   Although those who served on the ships were unaware of the potential risks from inhaling asbestos fibers, Krispin said the government and shipbuilders knew of it.

2.   And nearly irresistible in their elegant simplicity are the artificial flowers, including dandelion puff balls made of diamonds and what appear to be asbestos fibers.

3.   Asbestos fibers, in some cases at relatively high levels, were found in microscopic examination of the air filters.

4.   Asbestos fibers are made of hollow tubes built up from magnesium and silicon oxides.

5.   According to the American Lung Association, asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems including cancer, breathing difficulties and heart failure.

6.   According to the American Lung Association, if asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled, serious health problems can result, including cancer, breathing problems and heart failure.

7.   Air-conditioning and heating systems will have to be cleaned and tested for such things as asbestos fibers.

8.   But mining the vermiculite has released the deadly asbestos fibers into the air.

9.   Federal law requires a relatively expensive and complex removal process to keep asbestos fibers out of the air.

10.   For example, asbestos fibers may naturally occur in sand, originating from certain dolomite deposits.