What is asbestos
What is Asbestos ?
Unfortunately, today the term asbestos is known but its degree of danger has it much less. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was mined in Quebec in the late 1800s but has always been used in the manufacture of several materials.
There are altogether six different types of asbestos and asbestos fibers are distinguished into two main groups: serpentine and amphiboles.
What are Asbestos ?
Serpentine: Serpentine fibers are long, flexible and curved. They can be intertwined. The main type of serpentine asbestos is chrysotile, which is also the type of asbestos most used in manufacturing sectors.
Amphiboles: Amphibole fibers are straight and stiff. They are brittle and shaped like rods or needles, which limits their commercial utility. Below are the five subtypes of amphibole asbestos:
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos).
- Amosite (brown asbestos).
- Actinolite.
- Anthophyllite.
- tremolite
Why Asbestos Was Once Considered a Miracle Mineral
While it might be difficult for you to work out exactly what asbestos is and why it was so often used in building during the 1930s to 1985, you will certainly be familiar with it, given that the word appears in newspapers regularly. So, what exactly is asbestos? Once thought of as a miracle mineral, what health risks does it pose? Would you want to use it? These are some of the many things you will be addressed in this post, so keep reading to find out more about one of the most dangerous construction materials in history.
Asbestos mining
The word asbestos usually refers to chrysotile or amosite, minerals that have been mined in several locations since the late 1800s. These minerals have found many applications, including providing insulation, fireproofing, and incredible strength. Before it was known that asbestos causes illness, it was used for just about every building material, from cement pipes and shingles to brake pads and floor tiles.
From its beginnings in 1878, the asbestos industry grew rapidly and became the most important mining industry in Quebec, an importance that it maintained until the great crisis of the years 1901. Thus the asbestos industry has established itself as a supporting sector in the regions surrounding the mines.
Asbestos is very popular because it resists fire and allows buildings to be insulated. At the end of the 19th century, asbestos deposits discovered in southern Quebec led to the creation of several mining towns. Among them, Thetford Mines and Asbestos (now City of Val-des-Sources) will benefit from this ore for decades.
Dangers of asbestos
Asbestos has been classified as carcinogenic by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and by many other international organizations.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses can take years to appear, so the exposure can go unnoticed for decades. Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath are the most common symptoms. Symptoms of an asbestos-related illness can include chest pain, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss as well. Mesothelioma takes five to 20 years to develop after initial exposure, and one person dies from it every hour. It is for this reason that many countries have banned its use in construction materials.
Uses of Asbestos
what was asbestos used for ?
Given its insulating properties, its resistance to heat and fire, asbestos has found many applications in industry, particularly in the building sector. Today asbestos is the cause of many headaches since most buildings in Quebec built before 1985 are contaminated by this toxic mineral. Besides insulating buildings, asbestos was also used in flooring, roofing materials, textiles, and paper products.
It is composed of microscopic fibers that can cause serious health problems when inhaled. It is believed that asbestos fibers accumulate in the lungs and remain there for years. Since asbestos fibers are so small, they cannot be detected by most X-ray machines and other diagnostic equipment. Scarring has already occurred when symptoms appear (10-40 years after exposure). Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and asbestosis, as well as scarring of pleural plaques in your lungs. Pleural plaques hamper the expansion of your lungs. In addition, researchers have linked other respiratory diseases to asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues that line cavities in the body.
Conclusion
Asbestos has been found to be extremely harmful when inhaled. There is no safe level of exposure. It’s best to avoid it, but if you have asbestos in your home, make sure to keep it sealed off in an area that isn’t frequented by anyone who spends time there.
