Final answer:
Asbestos insulation is an environmental hazard due to its harmful effects on health when disturbed, and a latent defect in buildings, potentially leading to diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Step-by-step explanation:
Asbestos insulation is considered both an environmental hazard and a latent defect. Asbestos, which is a mineral fiber found in rock and soil, was extensively used in the past for its durability, heat resistance, and insulating properties in a variety of applications including building materials, friction products, and fire-resistant fabrics. The use of asbestos has left a potentially dangerous material in many businesses and homes as shown in past practices like the asbestos-covered pipes in an oil-refining plant.
However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, it poses significant health risks by releasing fibers into the air. These fibers can cause serious health effects including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Due to these dangers, asbestos in buildings is often considered a latent defect that may not be readily apparent but has serious implications for health and safety upon exposure.
It is also a concern for environmental racism as research indicates that areas with a higher proportion of people of color more frequently contain buildings with asbestos problems, amongst other environmental hazards. This raises the need for addressing asbestos as an environmental and social issue.