Asbestos Removal

by 3 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #8,649 in Business, #157,396 overall

Asbestos Removal

Would you believe that the first recorded case of "asbestosis" was in the 1920's yet UK legistlation did nothing to ban this ultra dangerous material until 1969? It is truly frightening when you know how much asbestos is actually in what products. It is literally everywhere and all around you. This is why asbestos removal is such an important thing to do if you want to help avoid further uneccessary deaths.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is actually a metamorphic rock, altered by tremendous heat and pressure to become a long, fibrous crystalline structure.

The properties of this structure means that asbestos is a true "wonder material" - lending it's abilities to other materials via blending and weaving.

It's crystalline structure is formed into long rods or fibres which can be split into thinner and shorter fibres almost infinitely. It is the build up of these microscopic fibres in the lungs that can cause so much damage (lung cancer and mesothelioma in addition to asbestosis).

Use of Asbestos in the UK

Has been imported in significant quantities since 1880s
Worlds leading producer of asbestos "Turner & Newall" established in Rochdale, England, in 1920
Hit peak importation levels 1960s and 70s
Imports reached peak of 180000 tonnes per year
Total imports in excess of ten million tonnes

Asbestos Properties

Good Electrical Insulator: Generally asbestos has a high electrical resistance and has been used as an insulator in distribution boards and electrical equipment

High mechanical strength: The tensile strength of asbestos is comparable to that of steel; also gives strength to materials such as cement and boards.

Chemically Inert: Asbestos is resistant to most chemicals. Because of the chemically inert nature of crocidolite asbestos, it has been used in battery boxes and high corrosive environments.

Good thermal/fire/sound insulator: Asbestos minerals are stable up to about 600 degrees Celsius.