What is Asbestos

What is Asbestos?

For most individuals, especially those born in the last 40 years, the mention of asbestos conjures up thoughts of a dangerous substance that's sickened many people and caused myriad deaths around the world. That's an accurate description.

A common misconception on the part of many individuals, however, is that asbestos is a hazardous man-made substance, conjured up in factories around the world for commercial use. The truth is, however, that asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be found in hundreds of countries on just about every continent. As a matter of fact, asbestos is still mined in several of these countries, including Canada and Russia. Other countries have outlawed the mining of asbestos.

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral with long, thin, separable fibers. The thin fibers can be spun and woven together, and possess valuable heat-resistant properties that make asbestos suitable for insulation and other such products. Indeed, for decades, asbestos was the material of choice for many industries that were manufacturing products for which heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, flexibility, and high tensile strength were essential factors. Today, there are other alternatives.

There are two kinds of asbestos. The serpentine variety is curly. Chrysotile asbestos, most commonly used for industrial purposes, is from the serpentine family. Other asbestos fibers, from the amphibole family, are very straight and needle-like. Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are amphibole asbestos varieties.

Currently, chrysotile asbestos is the only type mined on a wide-scale though a handful of countries continue to mine other forms. However, worldwide outrage about the use of dangerous asbestos has forced many countries to reconsider their position on mining.

Why is Asbestos a Health Concern?

Studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products include asbestos. In and of itself, the mineral is not harmful, as long as it's intact. However, when the asbestos in these products is damaged and the fibers become airborne, concerns begin to arise.

"Friable" asbestos - that which is dry and can be easily crumbled with the hand - is the culprit. Such asbestos is more likely to release fibers into the air. Spray-applied asbestos fireproofing, which was used in millions of buildings throughout the world, is of the friable variety. However, some non-friable asbestos can also release airborne fibers, particularly when sanded, chopped, hammered, cut, or otherwise manipulated. That's why, when demolishing a building that contains asbestos, proper removal is essential before the building is torn down.

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Malaysia: MTUC wants use of asbestos banned by 2010

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) today launched a signature campaign demanding the government to impose a ban on the use of asbestos in the contruction and manufacturing sectors by 2010. MTUC secretary-general G.Rajasekaran said though many parts of the world especially Europe and Japan had banned the use of asbestos as the material is deemed hazardous to health, Malaysia had yet to do so.

"Malaysia till now has only came up with regulations on the safe use of asbestos but that is not enough. In fact, there is no such thing as safe asbestos," Rajasekaran told Bernama at the MTUC headquarters here today.

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemicals apart from acoustic properties and tensile strength. Its use was later discouraged as inhalation of asbestos fibres posed a health hazard.

TGSU
KESATUAN KAKITANGAN AM KOLEJ TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN (tarc)