Reliable Asbestos Removal in Courtenay, BC
Asbestos is a commercial designation used for fibrous silicate minerals such as chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. The fibres of asbestos are chemically inactive as well as heat resistant and flexible. The most common among all is CHRYSOTILE (a variety of serpentine). Two other common asbestos minerals are Crocidolite and Amosite.
These minerals are used mostly in the construction of buildings, rooftops and more. In the earlier days, this mineral was used widely as they are chemically inactive as well as heat resistant and flexible. But now, most of the countries have banned the construction industries from utilizing it as inhalation of asbestos fibres has been linked to several health issues. The older the building gets, the little particles of asbestos become airborne with time, and hazardous to lungs if breathed in.
Some of the illnesses include asbestosis, a crippling lung illness, lung cancer and mesothelioma, an uncommon malignancy of the lung or stomach cavity lining, have been seen in people who were industriously presented to significant levels of airborne asbestos in workplaces, for example, mining, processing, shipbuilding, development and assembling. Asbestos-containing materials in structures represent no hazard to wellbeing except if asbestos becomes airborne and are breathed in. If the materials are intact and sealed, they pose no threat.
Types of Asbestos Fibres
Chrysotile
A white curly fibre, most products are made of this type of asbestos. It is a magnesium silicate. It has been banned in dozens of countries and is only allowed in the United States and Europe in very limited circumstances. The most common use is within corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets typically used for outbuildings, warehouses and garages. It is also found as flat sheets used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors.
Crocidolite
A member of the amphibole group, crocidolite is blue, straight fibres. It is made of sodium iron magnesium silicate.
Amosite
Brown or gray, straight amosite fibres made of iron and magnesium. It is commonly used in Africa, named as an acronym from Asbestos Mines of South Africa. It is found most frequently as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles.
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