Asbestos is the commercial name for a group of naturally occurring magnesium silicate fibrous mineral found in certain rock formations, mined from open pit mines. Most of the asbestos used in the United States today comes from Canada. Asbestos was called the “miracle fiber” because the fibers were durable, strong, flexible, and resistant to wear. The fibers didn’t burn and didn’t conduct heat and electricity. Asbestos was not expensive, easy to work with, and it was abundant. The word “asbestos” described the nature of these fibers and is derived from a Greek word meaning “inextinguishable”. It could be used in so many different products.
- What are the types of asbestos?
- What is asbestos used for?
- Where does asbestos come from?
- Is asbestos dangerous to my health?
- What are the other asbestos related lung diseases?
- Can asbestos exposure lead to other types of cancer?
- What factors affect the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease?
- Who is at risk of being exposed to asbestos?
- Is asbestos banned for use?
- How can I protect myself against the risks of asbestos?
- How do I know if a particular product I work with contains asbestos?
- What is the role of employer
