What Is Asbestos?
The term '
asbestos' covers a range of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers called 'asbestiform'. Asbestos-bearing rocks are mined and then crushed which produces asbestos fibres.
Because of the minerals known charcteristics (poor heat conductor and resistance to burning/melting while remaining soft and flexible) these strands of asbestos were manufactured to produce insulation and fireproofing materials.
There are two main forms of asbestos - serpentine and amphiboles. Serpentine fiber (Chrysotile) is the most commonly used asbestos. There are five main sorts of Amphiboles - crocidolite, amosite, anthrophylite, tremolite, and actinolyte. Amphiboles (notably crocidolite) are the most carcinogenic.
The most commonly used asbestos were
chrysotile,
amosite and
crocidolite.
It is commonly assumed that asbestos based products have not been used since the mid-1970s and therefore the danger has ceased. The reality is that asbestos-bearing buildings and products produced before the 70's can be commonly found as can products (such as brakes) manufactured in the US and abroad after that period.
Consequently, asbestos is a clear danger today just as it has been for hundreds of years before.
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