Asbestos has gained the reputation of being a dangerous man-made substance. While it can be dangerous, other facts about asbestos that hang in the...
Asbestos has gained the reputation of being a dangerous man-made substance. While it can be dangerous, other facts about asbestos that hang in the public consciousness have been misconstrued over the years.
Facts like how it’s made, where it’s found, and the health hazards presented by asbestos have fluctuated since the early 1900s. Over the last century, asbestos has been built into an array of different products including ceiling tiles, pipe lagging and water pipes.
But where does asbestos actually come from?
As a licensed asbestos removal company, it’s essential that here at DES holdings, we can answer the different questions you may have regarding asbestos. We’ve outlined an informative blog below to provide answers to the important questions.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is not man-made.
It’s in fact a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a variety of products for centuries. It’s mostly found in rocks and soil and can be mined directly from these sources.
Known for its durability and resistance to heat, asbestos makes an ideal material for many industrial applications that’s been used for centuries across the globe.
Once extracted, asbestos fibres are typically mixed with other materials to form a strong, durable bond that is ideal for a variety of products, including insulation, flooring, and siding. These products can release asbestos fibres into the air if they are disturbed or damaged, which can then be inhaled by people nearby, leading to serious health problems.
Types of asbestos
There are six types of asbestos, all of which are naturally occurring minerals, each providing a difference in chemical composition and structure.
The six types of asbestos are:
Chrysotile
Crocidolite
Amosite
Anthophyllite
Tremolite
Actinolite
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the most commonly used type of asbestos, accounting for almost 95% of all asbestos used commercially. It’s often found in insulation materials, pipe coverings and other products.
Amosite, also known as brown asbestos, is another commonly used type of asbestos that is found in insulating materials like pipe and floor insulation.
Crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos, was once used in insulation boards and cement pipes but is now banned in most countries because of how harmful this type of asbestos is, leading to fatal illnesses if disturbed.
In the UK, these are the main three main types of asbestos still commonly found.
How is it made?
As a natural mineral that can be found in different shapes and colours, asbestos is generally mined from the earth by drilling into the deposit and then breaking up the ore with explosives. The removal of asbestos from the earth leaves behind the asbestos fibres.
The asbestos fibres are very thin, and strong and are also resistant to heat and fire. These fibres can then be treated using either water or air separation techniques before being heated and turned into a powder.
This powder can then be used for different applications, such as insulation, fireproofing, or construction materials. However, because of the health risks associated with asbestos, its use has been phased out and banned in most countries.
Dangers of asbestos
Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can be inhaled into the lungs where they can cause serious health problems.
The fibres can lodge in the lungs and cause scarring, which reduces the lungs’ ability to absorb oxygen. Asbestos exposure has been linked to many serious health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other fatal illnesses.
If you have any products in your home that contain asbestos, do not try to remove them yourself. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibres into the air. Instead, contact a professional asbestos removal service trained in handling asbestos.
Asbestos removal near me
At DES, we provide a professional and safe service of asbestos removal. Our team is a fully licensed and accredited asbestos removal company, with the specialist skillset to safely manage, remove and dispose of all types of asbestos-containing materials.
With over 30 years of experience and knowledge, DES offer a leading asbestos removal service across the breadth of the country. We provide a full turnkey solution for any undertaking, no matter of complexity or size. Do not hesitate to contact us if you’re in need of asbestos removal.
Where does asbestos come from and how is it made?
Asbestos has gained the reputation of being a dangerous man-made substance. While it can be dangerous, other facts about asbestos that hang in the...
Asbestos has gained the reputation of being a dangerous man-made substance. While it can be dangerous, other facts about asbestos that hang in the public consciousness have been misconstrued over the years.
Facts like how it’s made, where it’s found, and the health hazards presented by asbestos have fluctuated since the early 1900s. Over the last century, asbestos has been built into an array of different products including ceiling tiles, pipe lagging and water pipes.
But where does asbestos actually come from?
As a licensed asbestos removal company, it’s essential that here at DES holdings, we can answer the different questions you may have regarding asbestos. We’ve outlined an informative blog below to provide answers to the important questions.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is not man-made.
It’s in fact a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a variety of products for centuries. It’s mostly found in rocks and soil and can be mined directly from these sources.
Known for its durability and resistance to heat, asbestos makes an ideal material for many industrial applications that’s been used for centuries across the globe.
Once extracted, asbestos fibres are typically mixed with other materials to form a strong, durable bond that is ideal for a variety of products, including insulation, flooring, and siding. These products can release asbestos fibres into the air if they are disturbed or damaged, which can then be inhaled by people nearby, leading to serious health problems.
Types of asbestos
There are six types of asbestos, all of which are naturally occurring minerals, each providing a difference in chemical composition and structure.
The six types of asbestos are:
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the most commonly used type of asbestos, accounting for almost 95% of all asbestos used commercially. It’s often found in insulation materials, pipe coverings and other products.
Amosite, also known as brown asbestos, is another commonly used type of asbestos that is found in insulating materials like pipe and floor insulation.
Crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos, was once used in insulation boards and cement pipes but is now banned in most countries because of how harmful this type of asbestos is, leading to fatal illnesses if disturbed.
In the UK, these are the main three main types of asbestos still commonly found.
How is it made?
As a natural mineral that can be found in different shapes and colours, asbestos is generally mined from the earth by drilling into the deposit and then breaking up the ore with explosives. The removal of asbestos from the earth leaves behind the asbestos fibres.
The asbestos fibres are very thin, and strong and are also resistant to heat and fire. These fibres can then be treated using either water or air separation techniques before being heated and turned into a powder.
This powder can then be used for different applications, such as insulation, fireproofing, or construction materials. However, because of the health risks associated with asbestos, its use has been phased out and banned in most countries.
Dangers of asbestos
Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can be inhaled into the lungs where they can cause serious health problems.
The fibres can lodge in the lungs and cause scarring, which reduces the lungs’ ability to absorb oxygen. Asbestos exposure has been linked to many serious health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other fatal illnesses.
If you have any products in your home that contain asbestos, do not try to remove them yourself. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibres into the air. Instead, contact a professional asbestos removal service trained in handling asbestos.
Asbestos removal near me
At DES, we provide a professional and safe service of asbestos removal. Our team is a fully licensed and accredited asbestos removal company, with the specialist skillset to safely manage, remove and dispose of all types of asbestos-containing materials.
With over 30 years of experience and knowledge, DES offer a leading asbestos removal service across the breadth of the country. We provide a full turnkey solution for any undertaking, no matter of complexity or size. Do not hesitate to contact us if you’re in need of asbestos removal.