forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




UER Forum > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know (Viewed 705 times)
vwtype3guy 


Location: Liverpool, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | AIM Message
The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
< on 11/4/2005 8:19 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
A few days ago, I was reading a chapter in my geology textbook regarding metamorphic rocks and processes, and I happened to come across this nifty little article concerning our infamous foe—asbestos. I would like to share my summary of the information contained within the article—it is both interesting and relevant, and who knows…you might even learn a thing or two!

The word asbestos comes from the Latin, meaning “unquenchable,” and refers to any silicate material (compounds made up of silicon and oxygen atoms) that easily separates into flexible fibers. Its much-desired features, such as flexibility and noncombustibility are attributed to its demand in industry; with more than 3000 known uses, it is considered to be of great value.

There are two main groups of asbestos: Serpentine and amphibole

Chrysotile is a form of serpentine asbestos. Being the most valuable type, it comprises the majority of all commercial asbestos. Its fibers are strong and silky, and it is able to withstand temperatures reaching 2750 degrees Celsius.

Crocidolite is a form of amphibole asbestos. Also known as blue asbestos, the fibers of crocidolite are long and coarse. Although stronger than chrysotile, it is ultimately more brittle, and less resistant to heat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) eventually came to issue a ban on all new asbestos products. This was due to the fact that some forms of asbestos have the potential of causing lung cancer and lung scarring, should the fibers be inhaled. The EPA obviously paid little attention to the issue of risks versus benefits when this rule was enacted, and as a result, the U.S. Fifth Court of Appeals overturned the EPA ban on asbestos in 1991.

The threat of lung cancer initiated legislation that mandated the removal of asbestos in all public buildings, as well as in public and private schools. Many important questions have been raised as a result, concerning the threat posed by asbestos, as well as the health hazards that may result from improper removal.

NOW HERE’S THE MOST INTERESTING PART:

The current EPA policy requires that all forms of asbestos should be treated as potential health hazards. However, studies indicate that only the amphibole forms (crocodolite) pose a known health hazard:

The fibers of chrysotile tend to be curly. As a result, they do not become lodged in the lungs. These fibers are generally soluble, so they disappear in tissue.

The fibers of crocodolite are long, straight, and thin. Unlike the soluble chrysotile, they penetrate the lungs and remain there. Irritation of the lung tissue can occur, sometimes leading to lung cancer.

THUS:

Crocodolite is overwhelmingly responsible for asbestos-related lung cancer.

***Because 95% of the asbestos in place in the U.S. is chrysotile, many people are beginning to wonder whether the dangers from asbestos are exaggerated.***

Asbestos abatement can run as much as $100 billion. Unless the material holding the asbestos is disrupted, asbestos will not shed its fibers, and therefore will not contribute to airborne asbestos that could potentially be inhaled.

What’s more, improper asbestos abatement can easily lead to contamination. In the majority of these cases of improper removal, the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers is found to be much higher than if the asbestos had just been left alone in the first place.

I thought that many of you would enjoy this (perhaps new) information. In conclusion, I would like to refute an implication that I foresee.

In no way, shape, or form, am I condoning the disuse of (asbestos) face masks. This summary is simply food for thought, and something to keep in mind the next time you find yourself in a place without a mask—there is a good chance that you will be safe (from carcinogenic asbestos inhalation) without it. Of course, it is always better to play it safe, regardless of the statistic.

Monroe, J. S., Wicander, Reed (2005). Physical Geology: Exploring the Earth. California: Thomson Learning.

[last edit 11/4/2005 8:21 PM by vwtype3guy - edited 4 times]

Explorer Zero 






Send Private Message | Send Email | 
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 1 on 11/4/2005 10:41 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
***Because 95% of the asbestos in place in the U.S. is chrysotile, many people are beginning to wonder whether the dangers from asbestos are exaggerated.***

that is the basis of a good question but the answer to it does not matter

the real question is why has it become such an exaggerated issue

the answer to the real question is lawyers

personal injury lawyers have driven this to become what it is today

they got hold of studies proving beyond a doubt this was a very dangerous material

the makers of the products that used that material (or some form thereof) should have known this AND they have deep pockets (or big insurance policies)

and they went to work helping themselves (and a few who truly are damaged) to one of the largest piles of money available in the history of U.S. civil litigation

in some cases you can just be exposed to it and win money damages without even showing symptoms

man what a country!
[last edit 11/4/2005 10:49 PM by Explorer Zero - edited 1 times]

tick 


Location: Abingdon, VA
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | AIM Message | 
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 2 on 11/5/2005 12:49 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
Posted by merulla
***Because 95% of the asbestos in place in the U.S. is chrysotile, many people are beginning to wonder whether the dangers from asbestos are exaggerated.***


Eh, a while back I met a man who had worked for an asbestos abatement contractor. He had lung cancer and asbestosis. Between forced, wheezing breaths, he explained that the P-100 filters and suits he had used weren't all they were cracked up to be. He died two months after I met him. That's why I, personally, don't trust any asbestos insulation (or any asbestos-rated mask, for that matter).



Mister Sable 


Location: Palliser City
Gender: Male


The Man with the Hat (the other man)

Send Private Message | Send Email | the Agents of Corrosion
Conspiracy Theory
<Reply # 3 on 11/5/2005 2:30 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I wonder if 'Thomson Learning' has any interests in the heat insulation industry, cancer therapy equipment or the funeral industry...

Something to think about. Now I need to go get some more tinfoil for my hat.

Cloak and dagger, man, cloak and dagger.
Agent Skelly 

Web Sheriff


Location: Oregon Territory
Gender: Male


Prenez De L'Avance Avec Chrysler!

Send Private Message | Send Email | Yahoo! IM | AIM Message | AgentSkelly's Urban Explorations
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 4 on 11/6/2005 12:11 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I saw something on Nightline last night about Asbestos...its a interesting history .

INeedAttention.com 

Noble Donor


Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male


Senior troll analyst

Send Private Message | Send Email | AIM Message | All Abandoned
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 5 on 11/8/2005 1:48 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Mister Sable
I wonder if 'Thomson Learning' has any interests in the heat insulation industry, cancer therapy equipment or the funeral industry...

Something to think about. Now I need to go get some more tinfoil for my hat.


It doesn't look like it. Thomson Learning is owned by the Thomson Corporation, who apparently specialize in information only. If you have Hoovers access (which most people here would only have from work or school, probably) check here: http://premium.hoovers.com/subscribe/co/factsheet.xhtml?ID=41609.

I also looked through the list of top executives and their ties to see if I could see what you meant, but it doesn't look like any of them have any ties to any other major companies but Xerox.

But you raise a good point about why they'd publish an article like this anyway, it seems pretty counterintuitive.

Colours, LINKS, images, etc are not allowed, text and LINKS only. Emphasis mine.
vwtype3guy 


Location: Liverpool, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | AIM Message
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 6 on 11/8/2005 6:05 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I think some of you are overanalyzing the intent of this article. Let me repeat myself-this article was published in my college geology textbook, in a chapter dealing with metamorphic rocks and processes. Since asbestos is produced from metamorphosed rocks, this article was extremely relevant. I am not sure whether it was published anywhere else but in this textbook. The primary motive behind this article, as I see it, was to inform. Many people have a limited knowledge concerning asbestos, and this article was an attempt to broaden the gap. "Why would they publish an article like this anyway?" Well, how many of you were aware of every single fact that this article revealed? Enough said, from me at least.

INeedAttention.com-

I think the context of your choice-of-wording ("counterintuitive") is off. Counterintuitive means the opposite of common sense. What exactly do you mean by the following?

"But you raise a good point about why they'd publish an article like this anyway, it seems pretty counterintuitive."

Even though it may not appear so, I do appreciate your skepticism, since this is one of the primary driving forces behind science. I am simply trying to clarify and understand what you're all trying to get at here.

[last edit 11/8/2005 6:06 PM by vwtype3guy - edited 1 times]

Explorer H 

Obla-di-obla-doberator


Location: Around the corner from the Turkey Hill
Gender: Male


I just want some slack.

Send Private Message | Send Email | Personal Photo Journal
Re: The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
<Reply # 7 on 11/8/2005 6:16 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Interesting indeed. Here you are researching asbestos, and I infiltrate Raybestos-Manhattan, later known as Raymark. One of the largest maker of brake linings - the asbestos kind.

I provided a few links to some asbestos related litigations.

Enjoy my first trip: http://www.uer.ca/...ow.asp?locid=23715

http://doublehmedia.com http://hartmancommercialphoto.com
UER Forum > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > The Scientific Rundown on Asbestos: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know (Viewed 705 times)



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 78 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 736990297 pages have been generated.