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Did you know that asbestos
was used by the Romans to make shrouds and wicks?
Recorded use of the word 'asbestos' has been found in
writings dating back to the 1st Century AD. Reference
to asbestos has been found in Marco Polo's writings
too.
To what use has asbestos been put that it has been
used repeatedly over the ages, and where is it found?
The use of asbestos in many products gained popularity
owing to its qualities of resistance to heat,
non-inflammability and poor conductivity.
The different types of asbestos fibers
There are many types of asbestos fibers and the main
one used nowadays is chrysotile. Three fourths of the
chrysotile used the world over is mined in Quebec.
Chrysotile is primarily used in the building industry
for making cement building materials, roofing
materials and pipes. All these materials are encased
in cement or resin casings in such a manner that
chrysotile fibers do not pose a risk to those exposed
to these products. Earlier, when all types of asbestos
fibers were used, the threat posed to the health of
those exposed was greater. Amphibole fibers have been
found to cause harm to humans. This threat has now
been considerably lessened. |
Processes like crushing, vibrating screens and air
suction are used to separate asbestos fibers from the
ore. After separation, as per their size, the fibers
are graded into different groups. The length of the
fiber and the chemical composition of the ore
determine the use the asbestos can be put to. Long
fibers are even mixed with cotton and rayon to produce
fabric.
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Where is asbestos found?
Asbestos is found in its natural state as an ore. It
is obtained through underground mining. Actually, the
word 'asbestos' is used to refer to many fibrous
minerals. In fact, an estimate says that two thirds of
the rocks in the earth's crust contain asbestos. What
causes the fibers to be released from the rocks is
erosion. These fibers are carried by wind and are
present in the air we inhale.
Studies have shown that water also contains asbestos.
And in places where asbestos mines are located, the
asbestos content in the water is quite high.
Uses of asbestos
The many products that asbestos has been used for have
been brake linings, suits made for fire fighters,
spacesuits, insulation of electric wiring and in all
the fireproof materials used by the building industry.
What happens when asbestos enters the human body?
Ingesting asbestos fibers is not harmful, but
inhaling them is. In fact, inhalation of asbestos has
been found to be the cause of many diseases like
asbestosis, a form of fibrosis mesothelioma of the
peritoneum, a rare form of cancer, and lung cancer.
The types of asbestos fiber that are dangerous to
humans are the amphibole fibers. Due to their
chemical structures, these fibers once inhaled can
remain lodged in the lung tissue and cause
complications like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Once the harm caused by inhalation of asbestos
fibers was proved, strict rules and regulations
regarding the usage of asbestos were introduced.
However, several workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. They
are entitled to file a lawsuit using an asbestos
lawyer. Several of the companies responsible for
exposing their employees to asbestos were fully aware
of the dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let
their workers continue with little or no protection
against the dust and fibers that emanated from this
hazardous and deadly material. Now, years later, the
effects of this exposure is taking its toll on the
workers and manifesting as mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos in the workplace you may be entitled to receive compensation. It may behoove you to speak with a reputable mesothelioma attorney to find out if you have a potential lawsuit.
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