The word Asbestos derives from the Greek adjective meaning inextinguishable. It was termed a miracle mineral by the Greeks because of its properties. Asbestos mineral is obtained by the mining or quarry process. The use of asbestos can be traced back thousands of years.
The generic name of Asbestos more accurately relates to 6 different minerals which have similar properties and are commonly described as asbestos.
- Chrysotile - commonly known as White asbestos
- Amosite - commonly known as Brown asbestos
- Crocidolite commonly known as Blue asbestos
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
Chrysotile is a member of the Serpentine family of minerals, with Amosite, Crocidolite, Anthophyllite , Tremolite and Actinolite being members of the Amphibole family.
Why use Asbestos
Asbestos offers excellent physical (high tensile strength, resistance to heat and electrical insulation) and chemical properties, making it an ideal material used for manufacture and end products alike.
With the onset of the industrial revolution and the advent of high temperatures and abrasive chemical exposure asbestos was widely accepted as an essential ingredient. Widely used in Boilers, Oven, kilns, Pipes, Brakes and heavy industry.
Most of us have been exposed to asbestos in one form or another. It is particularly dangerous in a workplace environment as it is a contaminate as an air bourn dust.
Asbestos Exposure - The Time Frame
As far back as 1900 a British physician found traces of asbestos in a mans lungs after performing an autopsy, shortly after, a study concluded there was high mortality rates among asbestos workers, with recommendations that steps be taken to improve ventilation and decrease exposure. In the states several studies noted that asbestos workers were dying unnaturally young.
In 1924 the first diagnosis of Asbestosis was recorded, following that it was found that 25% of asbestos workers showed sings of asbestos related lung disease.
Laws were passed in 1931 to increase ventilation, and make asbestosis a compensatible work related disease. It took a further ten years for the US to take similar steps. Since the 1930's there was an increasing demand for the use of asbestos in the UK. In 1932 the Inspector of Factories reported that prolonged exposure to asbestos dust could cause asbestosis.
Six years later in 1938 the Inspector of Factories reported, on the possible link between asbestosis and cancer. The concern in increasing use of asbestos in the war years particularly in the ship building and ship repairing industries was highlighted with recommendations made.
1947 reported the Inspector of Factories report 235 Asbestosis Deaths. In late 1955 Sir Richard Dolls confirmed the Link between lung cancer and asbestos. In 1960 Professor Chris Wagner established link between the cancer Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, and in 1969 these findings resulted in regulations and the virtual banning of blue asbestos (Crocidolite) in this country. All types of asbestos use is now banned. 1987 the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (1987) came into being and in 1999 the UK banned new use through the Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) regulations.