Notes On Asbestos

A few notes on asbestos

Asbestos is a term used to refer to a natural mineral that was largely used in the past as a building material due to its heat-resistance properties. There are different kinds of asbestos and the most common is the serpentine group which consists of chrysotile, also known as white asbestos. The other type of asbestos is the amphiboles group which comprises crocidolite, also called blue asbestos and amosite, known as brown asbestos.

Many years passed before asbestos was discovered to be the cause of some serious and deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. The risk posed by asbestos materials cannot be denied but it is important to highlight that asbestos become hazardous when the fibres develop into airborne and, thus, are likely to be inhaled or ingested. Consequently, asbestos materials are not a menace if they are in good condition.

Apart from the industrial uses of asbestos, this material has been widely used in house building and other appliances which now can pose a hazard to people living there or handling those devices. The reason for asbestos extensive use was the material ability to tolerate high temperatures. This material offered protection against cold, fire, noise, dust, corrosion, etc.

Health consequences associated with asbestos material were not discovered but after the damage was done. Asbestos-related diseases have a latency period of more than 40 years, in most cases, and this is the reason why the risks were known after asbestos material had been widely used.