What Is Asbestos?

The set of silicate minerals which is commercially used for their desirable physical properties is known as Asbestos. The word asbestos comes from the ancient Greek meaning "unquenchable" or "inextinguishable". The term asbestos is traceable to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder's manuscript Natural History, and his use of the term asbestinon, meaning "unquenchable".

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage, and affordability.

It was used in such applications as electrical insulation for hot plate wiring and in building insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement (resulting in fiber cement) or woven into fabric or mats.

Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause asbestos, pleural disease, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibers inhaled and the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Where to find asbestos

Some of areas in your home where you may find asbestos include:

· eaves, soffits, gutters and rainwater fall pipes

· fire blankets

· garage and shed roofs

· linings for walls, ceilings and doors

· insulation panels in some storage heaters

· bath panels

· central heating flues

· loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls

· floor tiles

How to remove asbestos

If you find asbestos in your environment then you have two options first, you can remove it by yourself and second you can hire the expert for it. If you are going to do it by yourself then u need following precautions

· Wear a dust mask specifically approved for asbestos

· Wear a disposable overall

· Keep other people away from the working area

· Wet the material well with water containing a little washing up liquid; check that there is no potential for contact with electricity first

· Always remove whole sheets or components; do not break them up

· Place any loose or small items in strong plastic labeled bags and seal

· Clean up all dust with a damp cloth and then seal it in a plastic bag whilst damp

· Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as dust may pass through the filter

· All asbestos waste should be double bagged or double wrapped in heavy duty plastic.

If you have removed asbestos from your home yourself, it will need to be disposed of separately from your normal household waste.

If you have adopted the second option for asbestos removal then " asbestos audits " can be the one of finest options.