What Is Asbestos and How Was It Used?

About asbestos

Asbestos is the commercial and trade name for a number of silicate minerals, characterized by their long, extremely thin bundles of fibers. Derived from Greek, meaning inextinguishable or unquenchable, asbestos has been around for centuries and is probably best known for its fire-resistant and retardant properties. Six asbestos crystals exist naturally. All are minerals characterized by their crystalline and fibrous qualities. The six varieties of asbestos are:

Asbestos is contained in rock formations and is extracted through mining and milling processes. Scientists and the medical profession have determined that asbestos is dangerous to people’s health, labeling it a carcinogen that is capable of causing asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Usage of asbestos

The nature of asbestos fibers—which are thin, flexible, long, and easily separated—allow them to be combined with other substances in many different industrial materials. In addition to asbestos’ fire-resistant properties, it is also resistant to electrical and chemical damage. It has excellent tensile strength and can be mixed with cement or woven into fabrics. Its uses range from building materials to friction and heat-resistant products, including:

Roofing tars
Shingles
Vinyl floor tiles
Sheeting
Adhesives
Plaster
Cement
Mud
Drywall

Acoustic ceilings
Theater curtains
Caulk
Siding
Countertops
Pipes
Gaskets
Brake pads
Clutch plates

Elevator brake shoes
Particulate filters
Insulation
Fire doors
HVAC duct connectors
Fireproof clothing
Stucco
Brick and block mortar
Drywall jointing materials

Thermal sprays
Boiler room insulation
Wire insulation
Fire dampers
Welding blankets
Cooling towers
Incinerators
Duct tape
Incandescent light fixture backing
Corrugated paper
Fabrics

The future of asbestos

Europe and Australia have already banned usage of asbestos, and manufacture in Japan declined dramatically in recent years with complete banning in 2004. However, many undeveloped countries do not restrict asbestos use and quite a few products in the United States today still contain some amount of asbestos. The havoc asbestos wrecks on people physically may eventually lead to its elimination from even restricted use.