Asbestos: so small yet so useful, so useful yet so harmful?
Asbestos, a group of minerals (silicone, oxygen, hydrogen and various metals) structured in long thin microscopic fibrous bundle, is best known for its resistance to heat, low electrical conductivity, and flexibility. It is widely used in cements and plastics. Fibrous as it is in structure, it is not visible to the naked eye. However, it is commonly found in paints, vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, adhesives, plasters pipes, gaskets, brake pads, stage curtains, fire blankets, fireproof clothing for fire fire-fighters, thermal pipe insulation and even shoes.
It is made up of fiber bundles, thinner than the human hair and is microscopic. Fibers are formed as a result of the cooling of minerals. Just like other minerals and gemstones, these crystals have three cleavage planes. The two other cleavage planes are weaker than the third, thus when force is applied, it tends to break and multiply into much thinner fibers. As they get smaller and thinner, they become airborne, and exposure to these fibers is hazardous to human health.
The three most common types of asbestos are:
Chryssotile or described as white asbestos: a white curly fiber and the most commonly used asbestos. It comes from serpentine rocks; is flexible in structure, thus can be woven into fabric. This is the kind of asbestos used in fire blankets, theatre curtains and fire fighter’s clothing. Evidence shows that this type of asbestos is harmful but not as harmful as the other types.
Amosite known as the brown asbestos: brown straight fibers belonging to the amphibole group. It contains iron and magnesium. This type of asbestos is bio hazardous.
Crocidolite or the blue asbestos: they come in blue straight fibers and are regarded as the most dangerous type of asbestos.
Asbestos is found in common useful things around us, and being airborne, a low level of asbestos are found in the air we breathe and in the water we drink. Medical studies show that there are thousands of asbestos fibers found in a human lung tissue. This is a threat to human health.
Certain dreadful diseases are brought about by asbestos. People who are frequently exposed to asbestos are likely to suffer respiratory disorders and lung cancer. Case studies show that a number of people stricken with lung cancer are those excessive smokers and construction workers who are frequently exposed to asbestos.
Currently, most first world countries have banned the use of asbestos and its banning has been a subject to critics and debates as it is useful to industries but is hazardous to health. On the other hand, industries in certain countries are starting to use a substitute for asbestos like organic fibers such as Eternit and Everite fibers.
Perhaps in some industries the value of asbestos is equivalent to gold but it is a known fact too that the value of human health is equal to all the wealth the world can offer.
