Asbestos-Truth

The Second World War can be traced back to the reason why industry suddenly began to use asbestos in large quantities. Looking back it was the 70's when the first laws controlling the use of asbestos began to reduce its use by industry.

During the 1980's the EPA added to the laws issued by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission by passing laws stating that asbestos could not be used for any use which it had not been put to up until that time. If you ask people today, most of them are aware of the harmful nature of asbestos to those who are exposed to the fibres.

Asbestos occurs naturally as a mineral that is mined and processed into asbestos. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity. With it's unbeatable properties of heat and chemical resistance many uses for asbestos were found in the home and industry.

Stage curtains, caulk, joint compound as well as less obvious uses such as crayons are just some of the uses for asbestos. The construction industry found many uses for asbestos, as tiles, in paints and adhesive. As long as the fibers are encased and contained, with little chance of exposure under normal conditions, all of these uses are legal.

Exposure to asbestos can be fatal as there are several possible asbestos related ailments, which are incurable. One of the best-known asbestos diseases is asbestosis, often called asbestos lung, which leads to shortness of breath and 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 include weight loss and abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

With centuries of the use of asbestos it may surprise many people to realise that it's health implications have only been known for a few decades. It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or asbestosis to become apparent in the victim; this is the reason why it has taken so long for the link between the diseases and asbestos to be made.

Due to litigation for asbestosis or mesothelioma industry has fallen out of favour with asbestos. If legal safety standards are followed then, even though the dangers of asbestos are known it is still legal for industry to use it.

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.