t: 0141 951 1008
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It differs from other minerals in its crystal development. The crystal formation of asbestos is in the form of long spindly fibres.
Asbestos is divided into two mineral groups: Serpentine and Amphibole.
The division between the two types of asbestos is based upon the crystalline structure. Serpentines have a sheet or layered structure where Amphiboles have a chain-like structure.
The Serpentine asbestos group contains one type of asbestos: chrysotile.
The Amphibole asbestos group consists of several types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite.
How is it formed?
The chief commercial variety is chrysotile. It has crystalline fibres composed of magnesium silicons hydrogen and oxygen. As the only member of the serpentine coup, chrysolite is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings. Also known as 'white asbestos' chrysolite makes up approximately 90% - 95% of all asbestos contained in buildings in the United States. Other varieties are amosite (brown asbestos), which is exceptionally long-fibred, and crocidolite (blue asbestos), which is valued for its strength.
Where is asbestos found?
Asbestos has been mined or quarried in various countries all over the world. One such mine was Wittenoom in Australia where thousands died as the result of mining this mineral.
Where do I look for it?
Over the years, asbestos has had many uses. Its primary use is as an insulator or fire retardant, but can also be used as a binder. Due to this versatility, asbestos can be found in many types of building materials. Even though the Federal Government of America placed a moratorium on the production of most asbestos products in the early 1970's, installation of these products continued through the late 1970's and even into the early 1980's.
What can it do?
A natural mineral fibre that is either mined or quarried, asbestos can be spun, woven, or felted, almost like cotton and wool. It has been valued since ancient times for its resistance to fire. It is composed of strands that are flexible and very strong.
Sadly, airborne asbestos fibres have been shown to cause cancer. Some manufacturers of asbestos products have been sued by people who have been exposed in some way to these fibres and later got cancer.
Only the longest asbestos fibres, called spinning fibres, are made into threads and yarns. From them are woven tough fabrics for making brake-band linings, clutch facings, gaskets, wicks, fireproof theatre curtains, fire fighters' suits, gloves and conveyor belts for hot materials.
The shorter, or non spinning fibres, are used for moulded brake linings, acid filters, soundproofing materials, and paints. They are combined with magnesia for heat insulating materials and are made into paper for covering pipes and wires.
The brittle, smooth-surfaced asbestos fibres are usually blended with a rough-surfaced fibre, such as cotton, which may constitute 10 to 25 percent of the blend. At the mill the fibres are freed from rock by hand sledges or by machines that crush, dry, re-crush, and screen the rock. The fibres are then separated from the surrounding material and graded. ln a natural state, asbestos fibres are tightly packed in veins and pockets of rocks.
Why is asbestos a problem?
Asbestos tends to break down into a dust of microscopic size fibres, unless it is completely sealed into a product. A single fibre of asbestos magnified 1,000 times looks slightly larger than a strand of human hair. Because of their size and shape, these tiny fibres remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. When inhaled or ingested, they can easily penetrate the body tissues. Because of their durability, these fibres can remain in the body for many years and can cause a number of different diseases. Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibres that may become airborne when disturbed. These fibres get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause significant health problems. Researchers stall have not determined a 'safe level' of exposure but we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos related disease.
Clydebank Asbestos Group are here to help you and your family - please contact us on 0141 951 1008 or fill in our contact form below and we will contact you.