Friday, November 16, 2018

Here Is Information On Chicago Asbestos

By Melissa Watson


Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring minerals that are found in the environment. The existence of these minerals is in the form of fiber bundles that one can separate into durable and thin threads, which find use in commercial and/or industrial processes. These fibers are not good conductors of heat and electricity. High resistance levels to heat, fire and chemicals are also exhibited by them. A lot of industrial importance is given to asbestos by these qualities. This is worth knowing about Chicago asbestos.

In existence are other minerals that resemble asbestos. Erionite is one such mineral. Asbestos is categorized as a compound comprising silicate. This is from the perspective of quality and chemical composition. This implies that asbestos molecules contain silicon and oxygen. There usually is a difference in oxygen and silicone composition. As a result, there exist six types of materials classified as asbestos.

This material exists in two major groups, that is, amphibole and serpentine asbestos. The serpentine group is composed of mineral chrysotile. Mineral chrysotile has long and curly fibers that are capable of being woven. Chrysotile group is the one that has found a lot of commercial use today. On the other hand, amphibole group is composed of minerals such as tremolite, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and actinolite.

Amphiboles have fibers that are needle-like, which are more brittle than those that are in serpentine. Usually, there is a limit in the fabrication of amphiboles. The commercialization and mining of asbestos has been going on in most parts around the world such as North America from the 1800s. These mineral increased rapidly in their use during the Second World War. The use of these mineral in the construction and building industry highly increased since that time.

Some of the areas where the mineral is used is in strengthening plastics and cement for use in construction. It is also used in roofing, insulation, sound absorption, and fireproofing. Hot water pipes, steam pipes, and boilers in shipbuilding industry among other industries are insulated using the mineral. Also, clutch pads and brake shoes found in automotive are made using this material. Other products that are made using the same material are coatings, plastics, adhesives, paints, crayons, and garden products.

However, the boom of the industry did not last because in 1970s, its use was banned. Consumer Product Safety Commission was the first body in the US to label a ban on the substance. In 1989, the EPA would would later follow suit and prohibit any new applications of the substance. However, commodities developed before 1989 were allowed to remain in used.

Use of this material was banned after the realization that it has the capacity to cause a number of health problems, cancer being on the list. The ban was effect with respect to the fact that asbestos can be emitted into the environment in form of minute particles of dust. As such, they can be easily inhaled. Upon inhalation, they build up in the body. They neither break down nor disintegrate once ingested.

The body also lacks any reliable mechanism of eliminating the dust particles in the body once they get in. Over time, these particles cause cells to mutate and cause cancer. In most cases, the particles accumulate in the lungs, causing lung cancer.




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1 comment:

  1. Asbestos should be encapsulated immediately. Asbestos abatement contractors do the work professionally with complete safety measures.

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