What Is Asbestos

What is Asbestos? Well, its actually a mineral that is very cheap to extract and

has high value in the fact that can withstand high temperatures and also that it has been proven to have high insulation properties so was ideal for insulation within homes.

However, this was before it was discovered to have a very high cancer rate due to the fact that the asbestos microscopic fibres are 200 times thinner than a human hair and therefore once airborne and inhaled, they will sink to the bottom of your lungs and remain there.

However, back to what is asbestos? Other al,ost miraculous benefits for the building industry with asbestos were also its sound deadening properties plus its durability and strength. Asbestos industry leaders were probably aware of the dangers with asbestos but chose to ignore them due to the high value products they were selling.

Asbestos comes in three main types white asbestos or chrysotile, brown asbestos or amosite and finally, blue asbestos or crocidolite. Blue asbestos is considered the most dangerous of the three, due to the very sharp and fine structure of its fibres.

Another type of asbestos and probably the most commonly used was bonded asbestos this is asbestos that was used in industrial applications along with a mixing agent such as cement or plaster. Typical uses for bonded asbestos are roofing tiles, ceiling tiles, acoustic ceiling tiles, textured paint and corrugated roofs, but also insulation materials along with car brake linings.

Asbestos is only harmful if disturbed or broken up, due to its fine particles which can become airborne and stay in the atmosphere for several hours. Once settled though they can cling to fabric and other materials. If inhaled it may not be for up to 40 years before disease becomes evident and could very well lead to the fatal Mesothelium which is what many asbestos factory workers succumbed to.

If you discover or think that you have asbestos in your home with say for example asbestos roofing tiles or ceiling tiles its not necessarily a reason to panic. If the tiles are in good condition just make sure they are painted with a special asbestos paint and they will be fine. However if they are in average condition you are better to employ a specialist asbestos removal company to replace or remove them instead of trying this yourself. You can remove them yourself, but this will require de contaminative clothing as well as goggles and breathing apparatus and youll have to have everything well watered down to prevent the particles becoming airborne.

by: Tom Brash

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