Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials due to its desirable properties such as sound absorption, strength, and heat and chemical resistance. However, inhaling asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses like cancer and asbestosis. Long or high exposure to asbestos fibers increases health risks. The European Union has banned all uses and extraction of asbestos and asbestos products due to the health hazards.
Asbestos Awareness - Things You Should Know to Stay SafeA
Ever heard of asbestosis or mesothelioma? Asbestos is a serious threat to many people who are involved in the maintenance and repairing jobs of old buildings. Although asbestos exposure does not have an immediate impact on your health, asbestos fibres can lead to fatal medical complications. In this article, you can start your journey of asbestos awareness. Also, you will learn about the safety measures required to save yourself from asbestos contamination.
Asbestos Awareness - Things You Should Know to Stay SafeA
Ever heard of asbestosis or mesothelioma? Asbestos is a serious threat to many people who are involved in the maintenance and repairing jobs of old buildings. Although asbestos exposure does not have an immediate impact on your health, asbestos fibres can lead to fatal medical complications. In this article, you can start your journey of asbestos awareness. Also, you will learn about the safety measures required to save yourself from asbestos contamination.
2. ASBESTOS BAN Asbestos (from Greekἄσβεστος or asbestinon, meaning "unquenchable" or "inextinguishable")[1][2] is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals exploited commercially for their desirable physical properties.[2] They all have in common their asbestiform habit, long, (1:20) thin fibrous crystals. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a formerly rare cancer strongly associated with exposure to amphibole asbestos), and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis). Long exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibers is more likely to cause health problems, as asbestos exists in the ambient air at low levels, which itself does not cause health problems.[3] The European Union has banned all use of asbestos[4] and extraction, manufacture and processing of asbestos products.[5] Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, and its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos was used in some products for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.