Asbestosis is almost always job-related. Many victims are older individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work before the United States began to regulate its use in the mid-1970s.  This naturally-mined mineral was used extensively in construction, manufacturing and automotive products, including in pipe insulation, fire-retardant materials, floor and ceiling tiles, and brake and clutch linings.  Those at the highest risk for developing the disorder probably worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for at least 8 to 10 years.