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What is 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 until after at least some of the damage was done.
Asbestos-related diseases can have a latency
period of more than 30 to 40 years, in most cases, and this is the
reason why the risks became widely known after asbestos material had
been widely used.
Asbestos Disposal
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos Definitions
Asbestos Floor Tiles
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