Asbestos was named by the ancient Greeks who recognized certain hazards of the material, and noted that the material damaged the lungs of the slaves who wove it into cloth. Wealthy Persians, who owned asbestos cloths, amazed their guests by cleaning the cloth simply by exposing it to fire. Some of the Persians believed the fiber was fur from an animal that lived in fire, and died when exposed to water. Some archeologists believe that ancients made shrouds of asbestos so they could burn the bodies of their kings in order to preserve only their ashes, and prevent those ashes from being mixed with wood or other combustible materials commonly used in funeral pyres. Asbestos became more widespread during the industrial revolution. Beginning in the 1860s, it was used as insulation in the U.S. and Canada. The first commercial asbestos mine began in 1879 in the Appalachian Mountains of Quebec. By the mid 20th century uses included fire retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat, fire, and acid resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound. There are 3 basic types of asbestos: White Asbestos, or Chrysotile, which is obtained from serpentine rocks that are common throughout the world. The rocks are called serpentine because their fibers curl. Chrysotile is used more than any other type, and accounts for about 95% of the asbestos found in buildings in America. Applications where chrysotile might be used include the use of joint compound, vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, and adhesives. Brown asbestos or Amosite, and Blue asbestos or Crocidolite, are no longer produced, but may persist in old structures and products. Crocidolite and Amosite contain long fibers, when inhaled, can trigger cancer and respiratory disease up to 60 years later. 95% of all asbestos ever used in the United States is white, chrysolite, and most of it has been imported from Canada. This is very different from the blue and brown varieties that are made of sharp needle like fibers. The blue and brown types have never been used widely in the United States except for in World War II, when blue asbestos was imported from South Africa for naval shipbuilding. This is just about the only exception. Brown asbestos has been used very rarely in old factory buildings. And it is very important to note that the only form of asbestos ever used in schools or public buildings is white asbestos. So why is asbestos a concern? Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause health problems such as:
Bottom line…..when in doubt hire a professional to inspect the area, before you start your building or remodeling projects.
And by 2009 you would think that the material would have vanished off the face of the earth, but alas no and the damage to most victims was already done years and years ago.
Please support any cause related to this afflicting disease.
By: Ban Asbestos on January 12, 2009
at 11:21 pm