Asbestos is a natural silicate mineral made up of thin crystalline fibres. The word “asbestos” comes from the Greek language and means “unquenchable” or “inextinguishable.” This name was used because of the flame retardant nature of asbestos.
Historically, asbestos was used in many areas, but it was almost always used to prevent or protect against fire. Its use dates as far back as the ancient Greeks and Persians, but it really came to popularity in the late 1800s, with the Industrial Revolution. At this time it was first used for insulation, but went on to be used in concrete, bricks, pipes, fireplaces, gaskets, ceilings, floors, drywall, roofs and furniture. During World War II, tons of asbestos was used to wrap pipes, line boilers, and cover other parts of ships.
Unfortunately, asbestos is not just a useful flame retardant mineral. It is also a toxic and dangerous one that has caused disease and death in hundreds of thousands of people. The first documented death from asbestos related causes was in 1906, but tragically the dangers of the mineral did not become widely known until the 1970s. In 1989, the US Environmental Protection Agency put out a ban on asbestos. Many other countries did the same thing during the 1980s after an influx of asbestos related claims.
Exposure to asbestos can cause several illnesses. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestos can also cause warts and pleural plaques. These diseases can be caused by intake of invisible asbestos fibres through the respiratory system or by contact with the skin. Mesothelioma, which is one of the most common asbestos related diseases, is a form of malignant cancer that develops in the mesothelium, which is a protective lining that coats most of the body’s internal organs. It can be treated with the common cancer treatments, but it is a serious disease, and should be caught early.
Another common disease caused by exposure to asbestos is asbestosis. This is a chronic condition of inflammation in the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. People with this condition often experience shortness of breath, and are at a much greater risk for several forms of lung cancer. There is no cure, but asbestosis can be treated with oxygen therapy, respiratory physiotherapy, and nebulized medicine. It is a shame to see what damage asbestos has caused to the people of the US, but at least now we are aware of its dangers and have taken steps to protect ourselves.
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Article Source: Asbestos is a Natural Silicate Mineral
