Asbestos

Asbestos

What is asbestos you ask? Well asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into fibers. The fibers are strong, durable, and resistant to heat and fire. They are also long, thin, and flexible, so that they can even be woven into cloth. Because of these qualities, asbestos has been used in thousands if consumer, industrial, maritime, automotive, scientific and building products. During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the United States.

There are several types of asbestos fibers, of which three have been used for commercial applications: (1) Chrysotile, or white asbestos, comes mainly from Canada, and has been very widely used in the US. It is white-gray in color and found in serpentine rock. (2) Amosite, or brown asbestos, comes from southern Africa. (3) Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, comes from southern Africa or Australia. Amosite and crocidolite are called amphiboles. This term refers to the nature of their geologic formation. Other asbestos fibers that have not been used commercially are tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite, although they are sometimes contaminants in asbestos-containing products.

What are asbestos containing products? What is common to many asbestos-containing products is that they were used to contain heat (i.e. thermal insulation). It is impossible to list all of the products that have, at one time or another, contained asbestos. Some of the more common asbestos-containing products are pipe-covering, insulating cement, insulating block, asbestos cloth, gaskets, patching materials, thermal seals, refractory and boiler insulation material, transit board. Some more materials are asbestos cement pipe, fireproofing spray, joint compound, vinyl floor tile, ceiling tile, mastics, adhesives, coatings, acoustical textures, duct installation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, roofing products, insulated electrical wire and panels, and brake and cloth assemblies. Some of these products contained a very high proportion of asbestos, while others contained small amounts.

Some people may ask why is asbestos still a problem. Well asbestos is still a problem. It’s because a great deal of it has been used In the United States and elsewhere. Also because man...

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...s fiber. It is important that you not release fibers into the air or onto yourself when taking samples. Only you should be in the room when sampling is accomplished.

Repairing asbestos. Where and how to repair asbestos is different is all places. Pipe, furnace, and boiler insulation: when the insulation material will move at the touch of the hand or cover no longer feels firm and tight, the insulation is probably too deteriorated for repair. For material in this condition, call a professional. Repair by the homeowner should only be attempted, if at all, where the insulation is firm and cover tight, and there should be a minimum of holes or tears in the insulation (for example, no more than a one inch diameter opening in four lineal feet of pipe covering). For minor damaged areas such as this, you can obtain commercial products designed to fill holes and seal damaged areas in asbestos pipe insulation. These products area available from safety store suppliers.

In conclusion, asbestos is not something you want to mess with. It is very dangerous to your health and life. If you have asbestos, do not mess with it; always contact a professional who knows what they are dealing with.