Asbestos-Truth

The Second World War was the time when asbestos was used the most by industry since it's introduction in the 19th century. The United States was the first country to issue laws banning the use of asbestos after irrefutable evidence came to light that asbestos was finding it's way into the environment.

The EPA strengthened the laws on the use of asbestos in the 80's, banning the use of asbestos in any new use. Most people today in the 21's century are aware of how harmful asbestos is to them if they are exposed to it and breath in the fibres. The message that asbestos is dangerous has been instilled in most people and they are aware that they should not inhale asbestos fibres.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in nature in fibre bundles. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity. Products containing asbestos were wide spread throughout most industries.

Asbestos was used in thermal pipe insulation; fireproof clothing for fire fighters and fire doors. In the construction industry, asbestos fibers are used in ceiling tiles; paint that is lead based, plastics, adhesives, soundproofing material and insulation. Industry can still use asbestos but only if it can be proven that it is not possible for the asbestos to come into contact with people or the environment.

Humans can die from a number of incurable and untreatable ailments associated with coming into contact with asbestos. One of the most common diseases resulting from exposure to it is asbestosis, sometimes called asbestos lung, which is a chronic inflammation of the lungs that leads to shortness of breath, coughing, and even permanent lung damage.

After Asbestosis, the second major ailment resulting from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, this is a cancer of the lining of the major organs. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction; blood clotting abnormalities, anaemia, and fever.

Asbestos became more widespread during the industrial revolution; in the 1860s it was used as insulation in the U.S. and Canada, this is long before the modern world recognised the hazards of asbestos. The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906; in the early 1900s researchers began to notice a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos mining towns.

As the level of litigation for compensation for asbestos exposure increased, its use has reduced dramatically. Asbestos fibers are still legal, despite the hazards of exposure, only if manufacturers follow all legally required safety standards.

The author of this web articles has written many other articles about asbestos. If you are interested you can find links to some of their other work below.