What is asbestos? And why is it dangerous? | Asbestos Awareness | iHASCO

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. And there’s plenty of it - it can be found in up to two-thirds of the earth’s crust!

Asbestos has no smell and no threatening appearance. And if it’s left untouched, it isn’t hazardous. But when it’s handled, broken-down, drilled or cut in anyway, it can release tiny fibres into the air. And that’s when it becomes a risk to health.

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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

As we briefly touched upon a moment ago, asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral and there's plenty of it.

It can be found in up to two-thirds of the earth's crust.

For many years it was used in around three thousand different building and manufacturing products. It's also been used as a form of insulation, for corrosion protection, for fire protection and even soundproofing for its ability to absorb sound.

Asbestos is water-resistant, heat resistant and non-flammable.
It's chemically inert meaning it doesn't react with chemicals.
It's strong - when it's tense asbestos can be stronger than steel.
It's flexible it can be spun and woven like cotton and it's resilient - it can survive for years.
Asbestos has no smell and no threatening appearance and if it's left untouched it isn't hazardous. But when it's handled, broken down, drilled or cut in any way it can release tiny fibers into the air and that's when it becomes a risk to health.

When they are breathed in most of these fibers will stick to the mucous membranes in the nose and throat and they will naturally work their way out. But some fibers will make it all the way into someone's lungs, where their shape and resistance to chemical reaction, makes them almost impossible for the human body to get rid of. These fibers can cause serious illnesses and fatalities anywhere between 10 and 50 years after they've made it into the lungs.