|
||||||
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is defined as a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals derived from hydrous magnesium silicate. Historically, asbestos has been used as a fire prevention tool throughout the ages. Egyptial burial cloths were manufactured using asbestos, as well as Charlemagne's tableclotch, which he reportedly would wash in fire. In modern times, however, this resistance to heat had proved invaluable in building and other materials. Fire protection, insulation, and even brake shoes and gaskets were built using asbestos materials. Ships and other contained environments were built with large quanities of asbestos to protect against fire. In many ways, asbestos insulation is the best insulation ever developed. The most popular variety of asbestos material used in the United States was Chrysotile, or white asbestos. Chrysotile was obtained from Canadian serpentine rocks. Less friable (and less likely to be inhaled) thanb other times, it was used most frequently in industry. Other types of asbestos include amosite from South Africa and Crocidolite from Africa and Australia. Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is thought to be the most dangerous. In the United States, asbestos was banned from most uses in 1972. Other countries soon followed, including the United Kingdom and Australia. Some countries still use asbestos, and in Canada, mining of Chrysotile continues, in part because of the size of the industry and the potential economic impact if mining ceased.
|
