The use of one or the other elements to meet the needs of the human being has evolved throughout history, from the use of stone at the time of prehistory to the exploitation of a variety of resources today, used to meet each and every one of our needs. Woods, fossil fuels, metals, precious stones, rocks and some minerals, such as asbestos.
Have you ever heard this material? In ecology, we explain to you What is and where is it.
What is asbestos and its properties
The asbestosis the term used to refer to a set of Minerals of Metamorphic originthat is, formed from the transformation of other rocks or minerals due to natural, and fibrous processes, composed of silica fibers, and some metals such as iron, manganese, magnesium and calcium.
Depending on the size, shape, color and thickness of the fibers, we can identify different varieties of asbestos:
- CRISOLITO (White asbestos).
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos).
- Amosita (brown asbestos).
- Antofilita Amanto (yellow asbestos).
- Actinolite (green asbestos).
- Tremolite (gray asbestos).
However, all its varieties have very similar characteristics. In fact, the term “asbestos”, from Greek means “indestructible” due to the properties of this material. These are the main properties of asbestos:
- Mechanical resistance, being able to resist great forces or pressures without breaking.
- Abrasion resistance, maintains its original structure by being subjected to friction with other materials.
- Heat resistance, which makes it an adequate material for thermal insulation.
- Igniphogo, it is not flammable and prevents the propagation of fire.
- Chemical resistance, resists erosion, impregnation or corrosion caused by acids, bases or chemical solvents.
- Biological resistance, resistance to the action of biotic agents, fungi, pests, pathogens or other organisms.
- Acoustic insulator, capable of preventing a sound from penetrating a medium.
Uses of asbestos
He use of asbestos It has taken place since very old times. There are data and tests that show that the Egyptians already used this material for the tissue of mats and the manufacture of sarcophagi, in the same way that the Romans used it to make fabrics of great resistance and igniphed, in fact, the same Charlemagne used asbestos layers in his battles.
However, it was after the industrial revolution that the asbestos reached its maximum figures in terms of exploitation, commercialization and sale, producing 5.7 million tons worldwide. Its use focused mainly on the construction sector to obtain fiberment, followed by the manufacture of friction products (brake pills or clutches) and, finally, in the textile sector.
Some other asbestos uses include the production of gas and oil, the foundry of metals, the manufacture of wheels and tires, the repair of ships, vessels and tank trucks used for transport and its use as an insulating material in nuclear factories.
From the 1970s its use began to decrease, due to the obvious effects and diseases suffered in workers who manipulated or were exposed to asbestos, finding multiple cases of asbestosis, lung cancer and formation of Mesoteliomas (cancer cells that are located in the thorax or abdomen). In fact, it is believed that, due to the massive use of asbestos and the prolonged period of appearance of diseases related to it, either in 2020 when greater number of cases of lung cancer and respiratory diseases appear.
As a result, there are many countries that have established prohibitions in their use, as well as laws to favor their elimination and withdrawal in a controlled manner, in order not to cause greater damages in people’s health.
Where is it
In natureasbestos can be found practically in all parts of the world, attached to its Mother in the form of layerswhere is it extracted, manipulated and prepared, until the final product of commercial interest is obtained, placing the most important deposits in the US, Canada, South Africa, China and Russia.
Due to its excellent properties, asbestos has been the protagonist of various applications and multiple uses, being possible to find this material in many industrial products or finishes such as isolation, textile products, soil coatings and countertops, tiles, tiles, paintings or adhesives and of course, in the fiberment Uralitaname of the company that marketed the Amento in Spain, being one of the most used materials in the construction of concrete products and that, today, can still be found in buildings and homes.
In fact, the elimination of the Uralita, is one of the current problems in waste management and treatment, so that, to withdraw it, it is necessary to contact specialized companies that guarantee compliance with the necessary legislation and security measures. If you want to know more about the management and treatment of asbestos as a residue, you can access this other ecology article in which we talk about where to throw up with asbestos.
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