The name asbestos refers to a natural mineral that was used in construction and in many home items in the past. This material possesses heat-resistant qualities that made it useful for construction where it was employed as fire proofing and weather resistant material. Some years ago it was discovered that asbestos has serious health consequences and its use was prohibited. The main problem appears when the material is damaged, when it is cut and when the material is to be disposed of.
There are three varieties of asbestos: white, brown and blue. This material appears in the form of hairs or fibers and their characteristics differ according to the type of asbestos. Blue and brown asbestos were prohibited in 1986 and the use of white asbestos was reduced in the same year. Nevertheless, all the types of asbestos are still present in home and work places.
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of asbestos. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
When talking about the risks asbestos poses to health, it is important to highlight that the danger arises when the fibers becomes airborne and thus they can be easily ingested or inhaled. But not all fibers represent a hazard. Long fibers and small ones are generally eliminated when coughing or breathing. They do not stay in the lungs. On the contrary, there are fibers of certain size or that belong to a particular type of asbestos that insert in the lungs and are responsible for the development of mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases.
In conclusion, all type of asbestos have to be managed with care and in all cases the necessary protective measures should be taken.
Now you can be a confident expert on asbestos. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on asbestos.
Navy defies asbestos safety laws - Age AUSTRALIAN sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use contaminated parts, years after they were outlawed. Thousands of sailors and civilian contractors are likely to have come into contact with the ...
Navy asbestos puts thousands at risk - Manning River Times AUSTRALIAN sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use illegal asbestos-contaminated parts, years after they were outlawed. Thousands of sailors and civilian contractors are likely to have come into contact ...
New law to help asbestos sufferers in Victoria, Australia - Mister-info.com New legislation in Victoria, Australia will provide for greater compensation for victims suffering from effects of exposure to asbestos. The legislation is called "Bernie Banton law", after the late campaigner for asbestos-related issues. The law ...
Asbestos no cause for alarm - Manning River Times SOME form of asbestos or presumed asbestos has been found at all public schools in the Manning River Times readership area, but there is no cause for alarm. Every government school is listed on the New South Wales Department of Education and Training ...
Rosetta Genomics introduces new cancer test - Pharmaceutical Business Review miRview meso differentiates mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure, from other carcinomas in the lung, the company said. Rosetta Genomics expects to perform approximately 2,000 tests during 2009 in its laboratory in Philadelphia ...
Your house can make you sick - CNN Money To avoid exposure, get your furnace inspected, cleaned and tuned up every fall. Place a CO detector in the basement, where levels tend to be highest, and another one in the bedroom, where it would wake you if you were sleeping. Asbestos Until the ...
