Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction and manufacturing due to its desirable properties such as sound and heat resistance. However, inhaling asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses like cancer and asbestosis. The European Union has banned all uses of asbestos due to these health risks. Asbestos was used in products that required resistance to fire, heat, or electricity but its usage has declined as the health dangers became clear.

1. ASBESTOS TO BANNED From Greek word asbestinon, meaning “unquenchable” or “inextinguishable” is 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 law levels, which itself do not cause health problems.

3. The European Union has banned all use lf asbestos and extraction, manufacture and processing of asbestos product. 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.

4. Asbestos was used in some products for its 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.