tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51138193405118039492011-10-04T15:25:19.922-07:00jofftheblognoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113819340511803949.post-66110670639117063542008-01-13T07:53:00.000-08:002008-01-13T07:54:11.972-08:00<p><b>Asbestos</b> is composed of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral" title="Mineral">minerals</a>, known since antiquity, with long, thin fibrous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal" title="Crystal">crystals</a>. The word "asbestos" is derived from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language" title="Greek language">Greek</a> adjective meaning inextinguishable. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece" title="Ancient Greece">Greeks</a> termed asbestos the "miracle mineral" because of its soft and pliant properties, as well as its ability to withstand heat.</p> <p>Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement" title="Cement">cement</a> or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake" title="Brake">brake</a> shoes and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasket" title="Gasket">gaskets</a> for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_insulation" title="Electrical insulation">electrical insulation</a> at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_retardant" title="Flame retardant">flame-retardant</a> and insulating properties, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength" title="Tensile strength">tensile strength</a>, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.</p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inhalation" title="Inhalation">inhalation</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos_fibers" title="Asbestos fibers">asbestos fibers</a> can cause serious illnesses, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma" title="Mesothelioma">mesothelioma</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestosis" title="Asbestosis">asbestosis</a>. Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos are banned in many countries.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5113819340511803949-6611067063911706354?l=asbestosdangers.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>jofftheblognoreply@blogger.com18