Its unique qualities makes asbestos extremely useful in industry, yet it is termed one of the most dangerous and insidious substances in the work place. Composed of mostly fibers, asbestos is readily freed into the atmosphere during handling, constituting a real health risk. There are two ways asbestos can enter the human body: by inhalation or ingestion. In addition to occupational activities, ways to come in contact with asbestos are: building homes near tailing piles; tracking asbestos in soil into homes and contaminating the living area; or unprotective piles of tailings rained on, eroding the pile and contaminating the region's drinking water. High asbestos concentrations can result from 40 mines and mills located on or near reservations, subjecting Indian people to airborne asbestos hazards. Preventative measures have been taken by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency and Indian Health Service to conduct a complete survey of building materials used in schools. Indian families may contact either the Indian Housing Authority of their Tribe or Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) regional office to find out if asbestos was used to build their homes. (ERB)