By Melissa Watson


The term asbestos refers to a group of six minerals that occur naturally in the environment. These minerals exist in the form of bundles of fibers that are separable into thin and durable threads, which can be used for industrial and commercial purposes. The fibers are poor conductors of electricity and heat. They also exhibit a high level of resistance to chemicals, fire, and heat. These qualities give asbestos a lot of industrial importance. This is what Chicago asbestos are all about.

Other minerals that resemble asbestos also exist. Such minerals include erionite. Asbestos is categorized as a silicate compound when it comes to quality and chemical composition. This means that it is composed of silicone and oxygen in its molecular structure. This composition often varies which leads to the six main types of the mineral in existence.

This material exists in two major groups, that is, amphibole and serpentine asbestos. The serpentine group is composed of mineral chrysotile. Mineral chrysotile has long and curly fibers that are capable of being woven. Chrysotile group is the one that has found a lot of commercial use today. On the other hand, amphibole group is composed of minerals such as tremolite, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and actinolite.

Amphiboles have fibers that are needle-like, which are more brittle than those that are in serpentine. Usually, there is a limit in the fabrication of amphiboles. The commercialization and mining of asbestos has been going on in most parts around the world such as North America from the 1800s. These mineral increased rapidly in their use during the Second World War. The use of these mineral in the construction and building industry highly increased since that time.

Plastic strengthening and construction standard cement are some of the products made using the mineral. Furthermore, it is utilized in insulation, roofing, fireproofing and sound absorption. Steam pipes, boilers and hot water pipes in shipping and other industries utilize this mineral in insulation. Furthermore, brake shoes and clutch pads in vehicles are made from the amphibole mineral. Additional items crafted from this mineral include plastics, adhesives, crayons, paints, garden products and coatings.

The boom of the asbestos industry was however cut short following its ban in the 1970s. The first body in the United States to ban the use of the mineral was the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In 1989, the EPA would later ban any new uses of the mineral. However, products developed prior to 1989 are allowed to continue being used.

The ban of asbestos came after it was discovered that it is capable of causing several health conditions, including cancer. Given that this product is capable of being released into the environment in the form of tiny dust particles, they can be inhaled easily. Once inhaled, they accumulate inside the body and does not undergo disintegration or break down.

Also, there are no reliable mechanisms in the body that can eliminate the dust particles from the body once they are inhaled. With time, these particles lead to mutation of cells which causes cancer. Mostly, these particles accumulate in the lungs and cause lung cancer.




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