ASBESTOS HISTORY

ASBESTOS FACTS

ASBESTOS FORMS

ABESTOS

Asbestos Facts

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral consisting of magnesium, calcium and iron. It is composed of strong fibres, which are either silky in texture with curly fibres or straight with needle like fibres. When it is processed into manufactured products, very small fibres are created. It is these invisible fibres that are dangerous when inhaled.

Once inhaled the fibres can cause asbestos-related diseases such as: Mesothelioma,

Asbestosis, Asbestos-related lung cancer and Pleural plaques.

Asbestos was popular because it had several beneficial properties - it is not combustible, has high tensile strength, has good thermal and electrical insulating properties, is moderately resistant to chemicals, and has good frictional properties. It is durable, flexible, strong and resistant to wear. This unique combination of properties makes asbestos an extremely useful material that has for many decades been established as a major component of lightweight reinforced cement products and friction materials.