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What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their physical properties. They all have in common their asbestiform habit, long, thin fibrous crystals. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, this was a formerly rare cancer strongly associated with exposure to amphibole asbestos, and asbestosis which is a type of pneumoconiosis. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibres is more likely to cause health problems, as asbestos exists in the ambient air at low levels, which itself does not cause health problems. The European Union has banned all use of asbestos and extraction, manufacture and processing of asbestos products.

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, and its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage. It was used in many applications such as electrical insulation for hotplate wiring and in building insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibres are frequently mixed with cement or made into fabric or mats.

The three main types of asbestos are:

• White asbestos, known as Chrysotile
• Brown asbestos known as Amosite
• Blue asbestos known as Crocidolite