Asbestos: The Complete Resource
Asbestos belongs to the group of fibrous metamorphic minerals containing a variety of hydrous magnesium silicate. It is normally mixed with different materials to form products like floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing shingles, and wall insulation, and many other products. The fibers of asbestos are smaller than a strand of human hair. Asbestos is found in different regions of the world. There are many types of asbestos but the most common types are Chrysotile and Amosite. Chrysotile is white and is found in 95% of buildings containing asbestos in the United States. Amosite is brown in color and is normally used as a fire-retardant in thermal insulation.
- What is Asbestos
- Asbestos
- Asbestos Fact Sheet
- Common Minerals and Their Uses in Everyday Life
- Environmental Health and Safety Asbestos Awareness Training
The properties of asbestos became well known in the early 1900s and the material started being used widely during World War II into the 1970s. It was in the late 1960s asbestos was shown to be a dangerous health risk and in the 1970s, it was certified as a known human carcinogen by the federal government. The use of asbestos decreased in the 1980s because of this.
Asbestos is rarely used today, however there are still products that do contain it. Products manufactured today that contain asbestos must have a label stating they contain it. Products to be aware of include floor tiles, steam pipes, door gaskets, roofing shingles, automotive brake pads and asbestos is in many homes built between 1930-1950. Asbestos is also found in house paint and matching materials used on ceilings and walls. Products like stovetop pads and artificial ashes for gas-fired fireplaces also may contain asbestos.
- Asbestos
- Asbestos Program
- Asbestos Questions and Answers
- Asbestos Disposal
- Asbestos-Containing Materials Guidance for Maintenance and Service Personnel
Asbestos is harmful to the body because when it's inhaled it aggravates and scars lung tissue. Some of the symptoms of inhaled asbestos in the lungs include shortness of breath and a crackling noise in the lungs while breathing. Lung cancer is common for a large amount of people exposed to asbestos. Another rare form of lung cancer is Mesothelioma. This cancer occurs in the membrane lining of the abdomen, chest, lungs, and sometimes heart. Approximately 2000-3000 cases each year are diagnosed in the United States. Most cases are linked to asbestos exposure.
- Problems With of Current Asbestos Legislation
- When is Asbestos Dangerous?
- Occupational Respiratory Diseases: Asbestos Associated Disease
- Asbestos and Your Health
- Parietal pleural plaques, asbestos bodies, and neoplasia. A clinical, pathologic, and roentgenographic correlation of 25 consecutive cases
- Causes of pulmonary impairment in asbestos-exposed individuals with diffuse pleural thickening
- Medical Geology Class Website
- Background
- Pioneer Killer Products: Asbestos, Lead, and Tobacco
Identifying asbestos is difficult because it cannot be done by sight alone. If you believe you are being exposed to asbestos, call a professional to gather samples of the product. Do not gather the samples yourself as it may impose a hazard to your health if not trained in handling the material. Identifying asbestos can only be done by examining the fibers under a microscope. The best clue for knowing if a product contains asbestos is by its age. Products over twenty years old may contain asbestos.
