The High Commercial Use of Asbestos in Construction

The US Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a ban on asbestos. They proposed "to reduce the amount of people exposed to asbestos over the next fifteen years and ultimately prevent at least 1,900 cancer deaths." The real problem is when it is disturbed in the air (such as sled or pavement). It is microscopic so it can not be seen by human eyes. When asbestos spreads in the air, people suck in the fibers and attack the lungs to scratch them.

Asbestos has been mined and commercialized in North America from the end of the 19th century. Its use increased markedly during World War II (3, 4). Since then, asbestos has been used in many industries. For example, in the construction industry and the construction industry, it is used not only for insulation, roofing, fire protection, and sound absorption but also for strengthening cement and plastic. In the shipbuilding industry, we use asbestos for insulation of boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. The automobile industry uses asbestos for brake shoes and clutch pads of automobiles. Asbestos is also used for ceiling and floor tiles, paints, coatings, adhesives and plastics. In addition, asbestos was included in horticultural products including vermiculite and crayons containing some talc.

Asbestos is a popular material widely used in architecture and many other industries. There are no serious health risks if asbestos fibers are encapsulated in the product, such as asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles or firmly adhered. Asbestos poses a health risk only if there are fibers in the air that people breathe.

Hundreds of occupations are affected by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is used in thousands of commercial and industrial products and people using these materials are at risk of harmful exposure. Industries that are particularly popular for asbestos applications include shipbuilding, commodity manufacturing, power plants and construction. Workers employed in these industries before 1980 may encounter asbestos products. Five branches of the military All veterans also face the high risk of exposure to asbestos