Asbestos is one of six forms of silicate minerals. It forms naturally underground and is mined all over the world. It has extremely good insulating properties and so in the late 19th century it became very popular as a building material. Asbestos is now banned throughout most of the world as the thin fibres have been found to cause lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Uses of Asbestos
Asbestos was first used in ancient Greece. The Holy Roman Emporer Charlamagne is thought to have had a tablecloth made from asbestos. In the ninth century wealthy Persian traders would amaze guests with napkins made of asbestos which they would throw into the fire to clean.
In modern times asbestos has been used as a fireproofing and building material. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century it was used in ship building. As a result many shipworkers developed asbestosis. There was even a cigarette which used asbestos fibres in the tip.
Mesothelioma and Other Health Problems
Mesothelioma, a disease caused by asbestos exposure, was first recognised in 1931. Asbestosis is a fibrosis of the lungs which is caused by asbestos. Because of such asbestos related diseases asbestos use is now banned in most of the world. However the removal of asbestos from existing structures is an on-going problem. As exposure to asbestos is the only recognised cause of various asbestos related diseases there are many sufferers who have successfully claimed
asbestos compensation for their illnesses
