ASBESTOS FIBRE

BY: PRIDHI BHATIA FD 2 YEARS

What is
Asbestos?

What is asbestos
Asbestos is the commercial name given to certain types of fibrous materials which are group of minerals, occur naturally as masses of strong flexible fibers that can be separated in to thin threads. They are silicates of varying composition. Silica is combined with such bases as magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and aluminium. .

Asbestos is praised throughout history because it is fire resistant, strong, durable and versatile and protect against corrosion. It has got insulating properties and resistance to all atmospheric agents and pollutants.

Depending upon physical properties and structure there are two types of asbestos.
1) Serpentine: In this type of asbestos the fibers are curved and flexible.

2) Amphibole: Here the fibers are straight & stiff.

Asbestos groups
.

Serpentine
Chrysotile

Amphibole
amosite

crocidolite

tremolite actinolite anthophyllite

TERMOLITE FIBRE

Chrysotile fibre

Asbestos Properties

 Considering the incredible properties of asbestos, it is easy to see why the material was known for a long time as the magic mineral. it has been used for many hundreds of years but extensive use began around the turn of the 20th century and continues even today in many societies despite the known and established health risks. There vast deposits of asbestos around the world and it is mined in much the same way as any other mineral.

Below is a list of asbestos properties

Chemically inert, meaning that it is resistant to and does not react with other chemicals Heat resistant, making it non-flammable even at high temperatures Alkaline and acid resistant Water resistant Strong, when tense, asbestos is known to be stronger than steel Flexible so that it can be spun and woven like cotton Has no detectable smell Resilient, asbestos can survive for years, as we know from its existence in old buildings Hard, its amazingly resitant to abrasion

Chemical make-up
Serpentine asbestos has a chemical formula of Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 and amphibole asbestos has a basic structure as follows: (Si4O11)-6

Asbestos uses
Not only is asbestos found naturally but it was also traditionally used in the manufacture of many everyday items such as oven-proof gloves, ironing boards, mattresses, floor tiles and Artex textured ceiling/wall coatings. And some of these old asbestos-containing products may still be lurking in our homes today.

The dangers of asbestos

Inhalation or even oral ingestion of any asbestos dust, or fibres, can have fatal consequences for the individual concerned. While most inhaled asbestos will be exhaled, there is a chance that some fibres will get stuck permanently in the lungs. The accumulation of fibres then causes scarring and inflammation of the lungs and their lining and this in turn affects breathing, eventually triggering disease. The three main health risks resulting from asbestos exposure are lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

 And it is not just those directly exposed to asbestos who are at risk. Even family members of an exposed person can inhale asbestos, perhaps from clothing, and corresponding instances of mesothelioma have been diagnosed in the past.

Illnesses related to asbestos can take years to show up, and in the case of mesothelioma, it is sometimes as many as 30 years after the initial exposure that an individual becomes aware of the disease.

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