Asbestos refers to a collection of six naturally oavailable silicate minerals. All the six minerals have eponymous asbestiform habit in common. That implies that the crystals have long, thin fibrous crystals that contain several millions of microscopic fibrils each. Processes such as abrasion usually lead to the release of these fibrils into the air. When in need of asbestos Chicago is the best location to visit.
Asbestos is known and classified by the color of the fibers that make it up. Five main colors are in existence, that is, red, green, white, brown, and blue. People started to mine these mineral a very long time ago, as far as four thousand years back. The mining was done on small-scale, with large-scale mining beginning in the 19th century. Large-scale mining started because desirable qualities were recognized in the fibers.
Among the characteristics that were considered desirable to lead to the increased popularity of this material are average tensile strength, sound absorption, resistance to electricity, fire and heat, and affordability. The ability to insulate against heat made the fibers to be used in electrical insulation and in insulating buildings. To be used as fire resistant material, the fibers have to be combined with cement or made into mats or fabrics.
Popularity of asbestos rose exponentially because of the qualities named above. The popularity did not drop, but instead continued to rise throughout the twentieth century before undergoing a sharp decline. The decline was as a result of research findings that indicated that the material caused several health conditions when one inhaled the fibrils for long periods. In reaction, many governments banned its production and subsequent use in the construction industry.
Two main kinds of asbestos are in existence today, that is, serpentine and amphibole. Under these two types, there are several subtypes. Chrysotile is the only type of serpentine asbestos there is. Chrysotile is derived from serpentinite rocks, which occur commonly around the world. When observed under microscope, it looks like a white fiber.
In the United States, chrysotile leads in terms of use in all applications. Over 95 percent of all instances where the material is used is chrysotile. Chrysotile can be woven to produce fabric because it is more flexible than amphobile. It dominated in making of roofs, cement, ceilings, floors, walls, and especially in outdoor environments. Additional items that are produced from chrysotile are fire barriers, pipe insulations, high-temperature equipment, brake linings, floor tiles, gaskets, and residential shingles.
Members classified under amphibole class are amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, tremolite, and crocidolite. Amosite is brown in color and is largely manufactured in South Africa. Crocidolite is fibrous in nature and occurs in huge amounts in Bolivia, Australia, and Southern Africa. Crocidolite appears blue in color when observed under microscope.
Today, it is public knowledge that asbestos is carcinogenic to human beings. It is also associated with a variety of other serious health hazards. The most hazardous types are the amosite and crocidolite varieties. That however does not mean that the others are harmless because chrysotile causes malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis in people.
Asbestos is known and classified by the color of the fibers that make it up. Five main colors are in existence, that is, red, green, white, brown, and blue. People started to mine these mineral a very long time ago, as far as four thousand years back. The mining was done on small-scale, with large-scale mining beginning in the 19th century. Large-scale mining started because desirable qualities were recognized in the fibers.
Among the characteristics that were considered desirable to lead to the increased popularity of this material are average tensile strength, sound absorption, resistance to electricity, fire and heat, and affordability. The ability to insulate against heat made the fibers to be used in electrical insulation and in insulating buildings. To be used as fire resistant material, the fibers have to be combined with cement or made into mats or fabrics.
Popularity of asbestos rose exponentially because of the qualities named above. The popularity did not drop, but instead continued to rise throughout the twentieth century before undergoing a sharp decline. The decline was as a result of research findings that indicated that the material caused several health conditions when one inhaled the fibrils for long periods. In reaction, many governments banned its production and subsequent use in the construction industry.
Two main kinds of asbestos are in existence today, that is, serpentine and amphibole. Under these two types, there are several subtypes. Chrysotile is the only type of serpentine asbestos there is. Chrysotile is derived from serpentinite rocks, which occur commonly around the world. When observed under microscope, it looks like a white fiber.
In the United States, chrysotile leads in terms of use in all applications. Over 95 percent of all instances where the material is used is chrysotile. Chrysotile can be woven to produce fabric because it is more flexible than amphobile. It dominated in making of roofs, cement, ceilings, floors, walls, and especially in outdoor environments. Additional items that are produced from chrysotile are fire barriers, pipe insulations, high-temperature equipment, brake linings, floor tiles, gaskets, and residential shingles.
Members classified under amphibole class are amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, tremolite, and crocidolite. Amosite is brown in color and is largely manufactured in South Africa. Crocidolite is fibrous in nature and occurs in huge amounts in Bolivia, Australia, and Southern Africa. Crocidolite appears blue in color when observed under microscope.
Today, it is public knowledge that asbestos is carcinogenic to human beings. It is also associated with a variety of other serious health hazards. The most hazardous types are the amosite and crocidolite varieties. That however does not mean that the others are harmless because chrysotile causes malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis in people.
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