Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was first utilized in the early 1900s for its insulating abilities, fireproof properties, and versatility. Food and canning industries like Del Monte Corp in California used it in strengthening cement and plastics, as well as in insulation in piping and boilers, and fireproofing.
With all these uses, thousands of Del Monte workers were regularly exposed to the toxic material and risked developing terrible diseases like mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma lung cancer.