Courtesy of Wikipedia
Asbestos is a mineral of fibrous crystals that absorbs sound, has textile strength, and a resistance to heat, chemical, and electrical damage. Its fibers can be woven into yarn or rope, and are easily added to a variety of materials such as cotton and cement, making it a versatile substance. The inhalation of these fibers has been proved to cause illnesses including cancer and asbestosis. Asbestos is used in many products from drywall roofing tars, to shoes and stage curtains, because of its fireproofing and insulating qualities. It became popularly used by manufacturers and builders in the 19th century as a common insulator and propelled the Industrial Revolution; however, asbestos has been used for as long as 4500 years in Ancient Greece when it was used in oil lamp wicks and ceremonial table cloths. The extraction, manufacturing, and processing of asbestos has been banned in whole or in part by over 60 countries in the world, including those in the European Union. Even though today, far less products in the home contain asbestos, it is still used because of new ways of containing escaping fibers. Canada has yet to ban asbestos and is currently the largest player in the global asbestos industry; over 40% of the world’s asbestos is found in a narrow belt of rocks in Quebec and over 300,000 tons of it can be exported annually to developing countries. The banning of asbestos is a difficult balance for Canada between saving jobs and economic profit or relieving the health hazards placed on workers and consumers from this multi-purpose material.
Written 2009. Since then, Canada’s asbestos industry has been winding down. For anyone who wonders what asbestos is…
Thanks for reading,
thebookybunhead
Great article. I’ve heard of asbestos, but never really knew much about it! Just that it was dangerous.
Thanks, I wouldn’t have known much about it myself if it wasn’t for my gr 9 geography teacher who always wanted us to be aware of these issues.
Wise teacher 🙂 and it made a great post!
In my country, Australia, asbestos has caused great angst, misery and death for people who have been exposed to the its tiny fibres. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that covers the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma tends to develop some decades after exposure to asbestos. It is incurable.
I am very sorry to hear that. Is the Australian government making and steps towards banning asbestos as a resource and in manufactured goods?
Yes, some time ago now, I think around 1989. Asbestos was still used, however, in brake linings until about 2003. Unfortunately, it can take decades after the intial exposure before mesothelioma manifests itself.
I see. It always makes me wary to think that we don’t know what long term effects there will be with new products and technologies that we use now.