Asbestos is a unique mineral that can be spun into thread and woven into cloth. Its fibres are fireproof. There are two common sources of asbestos: chrysotile (commonly known as a fibrous variety of serpentine) and amphibole. Chrysotile, from which most commercial asbestos is obtained, has fibres that run across the veins in which it occurs.

There is now a consensus that chrysotile is less injurious health wise than amphibole asbestos. Chrysotile is generally referred to as 'white asbestos'

Amphibole asbestos comes from such fibrous amphiboles as anthophyllite and tremolite. They are hard and brittle but may have long fibres.

Amosite (commonly known as 'brown asbestos'), is mostly found in Africa and may have fibres as much as 11 inches long. Amosite usually contains some iron, thus enhancing its inherent properties, making it material of choice in certain applications.

Crocidolite (also known as 'blue asbestos'), is the last of the three most commonly found commercial forms and, like amosite, is also a member of the amphibole group. It is generally accepted that this is the most lethal form of asbestos.

Where is asbestos used?

There are a great many uses for asbestos (well over 3,000 in fact). Some specific examples of asbestos use are as follows:

Lagging for insulation of pipes and ducts
Millboard
Floor tiles
Roofing shingles, siding and pipes (when combined with 80% Portland cement)
Bricks (when combined with Magnesia)
Boiler and roofing cements
As a component in fire retardant paint
Fire safety clothing
Brake linings
Some household appliances requiring thermal insulation, such as toasters

When did the dangers of asbestos become apparent?

It may be surprising to learn that the qualities of asbestos have actually been known for well over 5000 years. From the beginning of its use until the early 19th century it had many uses, however, the scale of usage was only minor.
Going forward from the 1820's, through the industrial revolution, until the inter-war period of the 20th century, production and usage increased to an industrial scale.

The very first warnings of danger to health were brought up during the early1930's. At that time, regulations were put into place to provide protection to asbestos workers.

Unfortunately, because of the onset of the second world war in 1939 and because many post war re-building projects were reliant upon asbestos, health concerns were largely put on the back shelf. By the early 1960's industry was well aware of the dangers of asbestos, however it was not until the 1970's that the dangers were legislated against and certain usage started to be wound down.

When is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos, although still to be found in some homes and older offices in one form or other, is not necessarily to be thought of as automatically hazardous. Asbestos only becomes dangerous to health when it enters the lungs through inhalation. For this to occur, the asbestos has to be 'friable' (can be easily reduced to a very fine dust). It is to be noted, however, that even non-friable asbestos can become hazardous if tampered with during removal or alteration, for example cut with a saw or hammered.

Who is at risk?

It is a shocking fact that almost everyone will have been exposed to friable asbestos at some time, and equally as shocking that anyone thus exposed, is potentially in danger.  For the most part, however, people with the greatest risk factor comprise of workers who were directly involved in construction, milling, mining and other trades which will have brought them into regular contact with high concentrations of airborne asbestos dust over a prolonged period. Sadly, the families of such workers may also have been placed at risk due to asbestos dust having been brought home on dirty / dusty work clothes.

Diseases caused by asbestos

The three primary diseases caused by asbestos are asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibres are inhaled and become trapped deep within the lungs. The body, as a natural response, designed to rid itself of intrusive foreign matter, releases an acidic substance in an attempt to dissolve the asbestos fibres. The fibres are unaffected by the acid, however, it is extremely injurious to the lung tissue and eventually causes serious scarring which spreads throughout the lungs and is, at that stage, detectable by x-ray. Eventually asbestosis leads to severe disability and death.

Mesothelioma, or more correctly, plural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs. This causes the lining to fill with fluid leading to deterioration of the lungs, and perhaps eventually full blown lung cancer. Plural mesothelioma is the most common form of this condition accounting for just over 73% of cases. The two other types of mesothelioma are pericardial (affecting the lining of the heart) and peritoneal (effecting the abdominal lining). Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have a maximum life expectancy of perhaps four more years.

Lung cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of tissue within the lungs. This tumor can spread to other organs by breaking away, travelling through the lymphatic system or bloodstream and attack other organs.

What can I do if I think I am affected?

The prognosis for anyone with any of the diseases listed above is very grave indeed. An urgent medical assessment should be sought immediately if you believe that you have been or are at risk, however, a complicating factor with regards to diagnosis is that symptoms can take anything from between 10 to 40 years to manifest.

Legal advice should definitely be sought with a view to making a claim for compensation should you believe that your employers may have been negligent or contributed to your condition. There are a number of legal firms and solicitors who now specialise in asbestos related claims.