What is Asbestos?
Date:
Duration: 1:31
Dr. Steven Levin gives a brief history and overview of asbestos.
Video Transcript
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in rock formations in various areas of the world. Most of the asbestos that was used in the United States came from Canada where mines yield a form of asbestos known as chrysotile asbestos.But because of its particular physical properties, asbestos has been incorporated into literally thousands of commercial products because it has proven to be an excellent insulating material. Both for heat insulation, for sound insulation and for electrical insulation.
The material is virtually indestructible. It doesn't corrode in acid, or alkalis. It's chemical resistant. It's heat resistant. And it remains persistent and virtually indestructible in the environment as a consequence of its physical properties.
Unfortunately, these very useful properties of endurance and resistance to environmental effects also results in some of the health consequences once asbestos finds its way into the lung. Just as asbestos is indestructible in the external environment, it unfortunately is also very persistent once it is inhaled into the lung and is deposited in the lung tissue.
The asbestos that one inhales remains in the lung essentially throughout one's lifetime.







