Indistinguishable Asbestos!
The word "asbestos" is derived from Greek, and is roughly translated as "indistinguishable". It is a naturally occurring mineral, which is extremely soft and pliant, but has the ability to withstand heat, as well as electricity and sound. For this reason, this "miracle mineral" was wildly popular for use in building homes and structures beginning in the 19th century. As time went on, however, researchers began to discover the health risks associated with the use of asbestos, and by the mid 1980’s, asbestos had been banned from most countries throughout the world as a form of building material.
Asbestos is known to pose serious health risks upon inhalation of the fibres. Once fibres of asbestos have become encased inside breathing passages, they are capable of causing scarring of the lungs, irritation of the pleural lining, and even tumours of the lungs and airways. While the use of asbestos in new buildings was banned in the United States officially in 1989, existing buildings and homes were not required to remove the asbestos from their homes unless it was producing an immediate health risk.
Asbestos begins to break down due to a variety of factors, which can make it easier to inhale. Age causes a breakdown in the asbestos fibres, creating airborne asbestos. Heat and damage can also cause older asbestos fibres to release more inhalable fibres into the air. Buildings which have higher concentrations of asbestos have had to remove the asbestos in order to meet required building code regulations. Other homes and buildings with asbestos continue to remain relatively safe with only a minimal risk for any kind of complications due to inhalation of asbestos.
Asbestos was, for a long time, considered the foremost material in building, insulation, and flame resistance. Since the 1980’s, there has been a fairly world-wide ban on the use of asbestos because of the serious health risks it poses. Most people need not worry about asbestos claims or related illnesses; however those people who work in the field of asbestos removal and construction continue to remain at risk for contracting serious illnesses due to exposure over long periods of time.
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
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Dave Saltonstall
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Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 Time: 4:32 AM
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