Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral, and it is mined in a number of countries across the world – Russia, China and Canada are among the biggest producers of the material. Historically, it has been a popular mineral to use in construction due to the fact that it is durable, flexible, resistant to chemical attack, an excellent insulator and able to withstand high temperatures. Additionally, it is easily obtained by open cast mining and is therefore cheap. These properties mean it has been commonly used for centuries – Romans used it to make candle wicks, Marco Polo made clothing from it, and the name itself comes from the Greek language where it means ‘un-extinguishable’.
In the UK, asbestos has been used in industry since the industrial revolution of the 1860′s when it was first used as insulation in factories. Since then, it has been combined with other materials and used in various applications such as fire retardant coatings, bricks, pipe lagging and lining of boilers. Industry experts have gone as far as stating that it is unlikely that there is a single building in the UK, built before 1980, that does not contain asbestos in some form.
There are actually three main forms of asbestos that occur naturally. The first is a type known as ‘chrysotile’, or white asbestos, and this is by far the most commonly used type. It is usually seen when it has been mixed with cement to form corrugated roof sheets, or used to make flat sheets for walls and floors. It is very flexible, and can be spun and woven like cloth, which made it ideal as pipe insulation or even clothing to protect from heat and fire. Considered to be dangerous to health, it was banned from the UK in 1999. It is estimated that this type accounts for up to 95% of all asbestos found in buildings.
The second type of asbestos is known commercially as ‘amosite’, or brown asbestos, and the name comes from the original source, the Asbestos Mines Of South Africa. In buildings, it is most commonly found covering steel as fire protection or in walls as a sound proofing measure. This type of asbestos is also considered harmful, and the import of amosite was banned in 1986.
The third form of asbestos is called ‘crocidolite’, or blue asbestos. It is a harder and less flexible form than the other types, but it is extremely strong and has a high acid resistance. It is considered to be the most dangerous of all asbestos types, and its use was strictly controlled from 1969 until it was finally banned in 1986.
As all forms of asbestos are considered harmful to health, it is essential that when it is found it is removed and disposed of correctly by a professional, licensed removal company. Products containing asbestos are safe while they are left undisturbed, but the asbestos removal process can expose you to health risks if the correct procedures are not followed. If you aren’t sure if asbestos is present or not, then a simple survey by a suitably trained professional will be able to tell you.