greasy skin

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been exposed to extreme pressure and has undergone physical and chemical change.  It is both fire-resistant and fibrous, so not only is it used as wicks for candles and lanterns, it has been used as a component in fire-proofing materials. It can even be mixed into cement to help fireproof buildings. However, its toxicity outweighs all its industrial benefits.

The dangers of asbestos were cited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule.   The controversy over the ban still rages.  It is argued that the World Trade Center would have stood longer if the asbestos coating of the 64th floor was not banned in 1971.  However, this argument was not mentioned in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s report on the Tower’s collapse during the September 11 attack. 

Manufacturers have fought the ban, and there are still many products that legally contain asbestos.   Understanding it is the key to this equation. What exactly is asbestos?  This is a metamorphic rock, meaning it has changed its form, contains water and magnesium (from seawater), and silicate – a compound found in the earth’s crust.  Asbestos was formed millions of years ago.  Heat, pressure, and chemical activity impacted on the physical and chemical characteristics of pre-existing rocks.  If observed closely, asbestos has thread-like filaments. Unlike other minerals, it does not consist of tightly bound crystals.  From the 1900s to the 1970s, asbestos was an important component in commercial products.  During World War II, it was used in shipbuilding and other industries.  Since then, 30 million tons of asbestos have been used. 

The danger of asbestos to the human body was documented as early as the 1898.  Workers exposed to asbestos developed diseases through inhalation of its fibers or even just in direct contact.    The discovery of that asbestos has a direct link to mesothelioma cancer was established in the early 1900s.  This disease was common in shipyard workers and people who worked in asbestos mines and mills.    Those exposed to asbestos in the workplace, though, aren’t the only ones who suffer. Unfortunately some people who are not industrial workers get the cancer through inhaling the fibers in houses or buildings with asbestos coating.  This is how hazardous asbestos is to the human body.  It affects linings in the abdominal cavity – affecting the lungs.  Common symptoms are chest wall pain, fluid the lungs, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, anemia, blood in sputum, and wheezing, coughing, and hoarseness.  In severe cases, a person may develop tumor masses or his lungs may collapse.  The disease may spread to the other parts of the body.  In severe cases, blood clots will build up in the veins or lungs, body organs may bleed, jaundice will develop, blood sugar levels will lower, and severe ascitis may be developed.      

People may wonder what things in the house or the equipment we use contain asbestos.  Old fashioned fire-proof gloves, ironing board covers, stove pads, automobile brake shoes and many other items contain asbestos. 

Public awareness of the dangers of asbestos should be assiduously promoted to prevent unsuspecting people from coming in contact with asbestos in any form.  More importantly, manufacturers should protect their workers from the dangers of asbestos in the working place.  The EPA Ban and Pull-Out Rule has regulated the use of asbestos, but still the frightening prospect of an asbestos bomb looms ahead.