What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the commercial name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. Asbestos has had many uses, but is most commonly used in a variety of building materials and industrial products.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals. The three most common types of asbestos are:a) chrysotile b) amosite c) crocidoliteAsbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Asbestos is often found in ceiling tiles, pipe and vessel insulation, blown on to structural beams and ceilings, in floor tile, linoleum and mastic.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic mineral group used for a variety of industrial and commercial purposes. Asbestos’ resistance to heat or fire and its tensile strength made it an excellent insulator. Asbestos was also used in a variety of household products ranging from talcum powder and toasters to stucco and irons.
Asbestos is a useful material made of six different fibrous minerals, namely: chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. These asbestos minerals come from mines throughout the world, including mines in such locations as South America, Australia and Canada. Best known for its heat retardant capacity, asbestos is used in such products as roofing shingles, automobile brake pads, floor tiles, and assorted gaskets. Asbestos wraps were also commonly used over the years to insulate heating ducts and water pipes in homes, offices, and other buildings. While asbestos has some outstanding benefits and is part of a number of useful products, it also has numerous hazardous aspects to it. Individuals exposed to asbestos fibers can suffer lung damage, heart damage, cancer, and other disabilities. Exposure to asbestos has also proven deadly. The negative aspects of asbestos have caused quite a stir since the 1960’s, when many of the problems associated with asbestos w
