What is Asbestos

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What is Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral that is widely found in nature. Its name derives from the Greek meaning 'inextinguishable', which suggests its ability to resist heat and fire have always been understood. It is the ability to resist heat and fire that resulted in asbestos being used widely in industry, shipbuilding and construction particularly during and after World War II.

Currently the largest producers of asbestos are Russia, China and Canada. Russia and China use a majority within their own country however Canada dominates the export market. There are still over 100 countries producing asbestos containing pipes and sheets to be used as low-cost building material.

There are three main types, blue asbestos (crocidolite), brown asbestos (amosite) and white asbestos (Chrysotile). They are all harmful but blue and brown asbestos are recognized as the most hazardous. In the US, asbestos was one of the first hazardous air pollutants regulated under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act of 1970.

It is asbestos dust or airborne asbestos fibers, which cause harm when inhaled or ingested. Asbestos materials left undisturbed probably poses no significant threat. Asbestos fibers are very fine and if they are breathed in they can reach the smallest areas of the lung where they cannot be breathed or coughed out. Once they have lodged in the lung the body's defense mechanism tries to break them down and remove them which leads to swelling and inflammation in the surrounding area.

The fibers can also penetrate the edge of the lung and settle in the pleural lining. The fibers can also be swallowed and in a similar way can lodge in the abdomen and work their way to the peritoneum that lines the abdomen where the same swelling and inflammation can occur.

Anyone exposed to asbestos at any time are potentially at risk, however, the majority of people who have been exposed to asbestos dust do not suffer ill health as a result. There is no way of identifying who or why some people go on to suffer and others remain unaffected.