Some Asbestos Facts
10th May, 2011Asbestos is the name given to natural, fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. The toxic Substance Control Act defines asbestos and the asbestiform varieties of Chrysotile (Serpentine), Crocidolite (Riebeckite), Amosite (Cummingtonite or Grunerite), Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite. Most of the asbestos used in the United States today comes from Canada.
The United States of America (USA) made the Toxic Substance Control Act to define the Asbestos and its other variations of asbestiform. There are actually six (6) varieties or types of the substance, which are generally categorized into two (2). These two categories are the Serpentine and the Amphibole.
The first category Serpentine has only one member, which is the Chrysotile. The Chrysotile is often times a green or white substance that is commonly being used in materials for insulation or products used for fireproofing.
Only two (2) types of asbestos that belong to the first category are being utilized for commercial and industrial purposes during the early year. These substances have been to possess strong stiff fibres that make them belong to the hazardous substances when inhaled or even ingested.
On the other hand, How to Test for Asbestos? The Amphibole is the second category of asbestos that is with a structure like a chain with straight fibres. This category is composed of five (5) asbestos types. These asbestos types are the Crocidolite, Amosite, Tremolite
The asbestos substance has been historically utilized in several garments like tablecloths of Persian elites. Fast-forwarding during the Industrial Revolution, this substance has been used as insulation in Canada and USA. Today, it is widely being used in the manufacture of ammonium sulphate for the rice productions and also in construction activities, mining and other industries, especially in Japan and Australia since after the World War II and hence many are effected with Asbestos Exposure.
Damaged products that contain asbestos can be dangerous. Hire a professional asbestos inspector and then an abatement contractor to deal with these toxic products.
Because of the upward trend in death cases or related illness from asbestos exposure, utilization of asbestos in some products has long been banned in most developed countries after huge criticisms from the public.
Some of the health illnesses that can be due to Asbestos Exposure are mesothelioma, asbestosis and other lung diseases.
Tags: asbestos diseases, asbestos facts, asbestos removal tips, test asbestos at home