A substance that you really shouldn't breathe in if you don't want lung damage.

Bad News: We're secretly breathing in very low levels of asbestos every day

"United States PLEASE for fucks sake ban asbestos"

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Asbestos

Asbestos (a misapplication of Latin: asbestos "quicklime" from Greek ἄóâåóôïò: a, "not" and sbestos, "extinguishable") describes any of a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals of the hydrous magnesium silicate variety. The name is derived for its historical use in lamp wicks; the resistance of asbestos to fire has long been exploited for a variety of purposes. Asbestos was used in fabrics such as Egyptian burial cloths and Charlemagne's tablecloth which according to legend, he threw in a fire to clean. Asbestos occurs naturally in many forms (see below); it is mined from metamorphic rocks.

When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals. The inhalation of some kinds of asbestos fibers, however, causes various serious illnesses, including cancer. Thus, most uses of asbestos are banned in many countries. Fiberglass or Synthetic Mineral Fibre has been found to be a suitable substitute for thermal insulation, and woven ceramic fiber performs as well as or better than asbestos as an insulator of high-temperature electrical conductors

Asbestos a misapplication of Latin: asbestos

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Asbestos

A mineral used for insulation that is fatal when its fibers are inhaled and is associated with asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and methothelioma. Theres many types of asbestos. One type is called Chrysotile, or, most commonly referred to as "White Asbestos" that has a melting point of 1500°C. Because if its resistence to both high heat and chemicals it was widely used from the 1880's to the late 1970's in many industrial applications, as well as in many homes.

Old buildings are full of asbestos. The best thing to do is encapsulate. If it is friable, in bad condition, call asbestos abatement crews to come treat it. Asbestos poses no threat if it is in good contition.

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