What Is Asbestos?

The word asbestos originates from a Greek term meaning unquenchable and inextinguishable

. Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring silicate minerals which have been used commercially due to their physical properties. Each of the six types of asbestos are made up of thin, fibrous crystals. When these crystals are inhaled they can cause serious illness and a range of diseases such as lung cancer, mesotheliona (a cancer associated with asbestos exposure) and asbestosis a chronic lung disease. The use of asbestos has now been banned by the European Union and the manufacturing and using of asbestos material has also been banned.

To test environmental samples suspected to contain asbestos experts use electron microscopy techniques. Gravimetric techniques are often used today although these can spot to fail tiny, deadly fibres which can be a big problem.

The usage of asbestos became very popular in construction during the end of the nineteenth century due to its composition. Asbestos has a great ability to absorb, is extremely strong, very resistant to heat and fire and also resistant to chemical and electric exposure. It was previously mixed with cement and woven into fabric and carpets due to its insulating and heat resistant properties. Asbestos was also widely used in ovens for the same reason.

Exposure to asbestos becomes a major health concern when it is believed that high levels of asbestos fibres have been breathed in over a long period of time. People who become ill due to breathing in asbestos have usually been exposed on a daily basis in a job role for example. As the amount of exposure the person suffers rises the risk factors increase. Disease is still very unlikely as a result of one single high level bout of exposure, or from a short period of smaller levels of asbestos.

Smokers have a heightened risk to developing disease due to their lungs already being at a much greater risk of disease anyway. It is vital to be cautious around asbestos.

by: Clare Westwood

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