What is Asbestos Used For That You Need to Avoid?
Asbestos was once a popular material in the manufacturing of thousands of products. Unfortunately, the toxin can still be found in some products today.
This material was the central part of commercial product manufacturing in industrialized countries such as the USA in the early-1800s. Most notable work of this material was in the lining in the early steam engines in 1827.
Asbestos use gained popularity worldwide as it was cheap, easy to machine, flexible, durable, and was an excellent insulating and fireproofing agent.
The production and construction industry fell in love with the versatility and usage of asbestos-containing products whenever possible.
The high demand for weapons and machines during World War II accelerated the use of this material. The shipbuilding industry took advantage of the machinability of this mineral and utilized it extensively.
Before 1970, asbestos was the ideal material in the manufacturing and construction industry.
When scientist learned about the adverse effects of asbestos fibers, the new findings spread across the world, and companies responded by minimizing the usage of this mineral.
In 1989, the United States banned the use of it and the Environmental Protection Agency implemented the ruling across all states.
Unfortunately, the federal court overturned the ban and allowed the usage of the products that had a historical use of this mineral. The new regulations permitted products containing not more than 1% of asbestos.
Products Containing Asbestos
General Products
- Gaskets
- Cigarette Filters
- Plastics
- Vinyl Products
- Electrical Cloth & Electrical Panel Partition
- Asbestos Sheets
- Cosmetics
- Fume Hoods & Laboratory Hoods
- Talcum Powder
- Textile Cloths & Textile Garments
- Ductwork Connectors & Flexible Duct Connectors
- Adhesives and Gold Bond Adhesives
- Felt for Roofing & Flooring
Related: Most Common Household Products Containing Asbestos
Most Popular Products
Many developed countries have put extreme measures against the use of asbestos, and they have banned its usage but not the United States.
Notably, there have been multiple efforts to establish strict exposure standards in a bid to limit its use— and to seek compensation for any health-related eventualities through the courts.
The use of asbestos-containing products stretches from industrial to domestic products. The following highlights the most popular products.
Vehicle Parts
Widespread use of asbestos even to date is in the automotive parts. This is why many automotive technicians are susceptible to asbestos-related diseases such as pleural mesothelioma.
These include spare parts such as clutch plates, brake pads, hood liners, certain types of gaskets, and valves. This chemical is harmful when it wears off, and its fibers are exposed.
The term “vehicle” goes beyond road-vehicles like cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Ships, airplane, and helicopters also contain parts with asbestos for various mechanical reasons.
Generally, all elements that need to be protected from heat, friction, or fire has a strong possibility of containing this harmful mineral. If you are a technician try to handle such parts with great care.
Related: Legal Disposal Regulations
Insulation
There are better and effective types of insulation available in the market today than ever before. Unfortunately, this material is still found in certain types of new insulation that employs traditional techniques.
Modern insulation is somehow less likely to result in exposure than the older form of this material; especially if professionally installed, adequately enclosed, and left undisturbed.
However, if you're repairing your furnace, remodeling, renovating or demolishing your home, you need to be very careful.
Construction Material
Some construction materials produced today contain traces of asbestos.
They include things like flooring, ceiling and roofing tiles, the adhesives that lay down flooring materials, prefabricated cement manufactured with this harmful material to provide more strength and fire-resistance properties, corrugated sheeting, etc.
Before doing any construction work, reach out to the environmental agency to understand the requirement and the safety of the materials you are planning to use.
Related: How to Cover Asbestos Siding
Other Popular Harmful Products;
- Fireproof Clothing
- Potting Soils
- Heat-resistant-textiles etc.
