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What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate which can cause cancer. These
mineral fibers can either be inhaled or digested. Asbestos is commonly
used in building materials because of its chemical characteristics.
Its solidity, inflammability, non-conductibility and resistance to
other chemicals make it a good choice in fireproof material,
electrical insulation, roofing, filters and many more. Long term
exposure to this chemical can result in serious consequences.
Asbestos crystals are formed by small chains of what can be compared to strings.
These strings will break along their weakest molecular chain and split in half. This
might not be a problem except for the fact that they break down almost infinitely to a fiber small
enough to not only to be inhaled but to be absorbed into the lung itself. What Asbestos does at that
point are subject to different theories but they will almost inevitably cause a mutation. In many cases,
this mutation eventually turns into cancer in the form of Mesothelioma or a lung problem that
prohibits oxygen intake called Asbestosis.
In all cases, the benefits do not outweigh the risks of what Asbestos can damage. Asbestos is a
dangerous mineral that was uses in thousands of products and buildings. What the long term effects to
our environment are still contested, but one thing is clear- the incredible amount of asbestos use in
20th century society without knowing the true details of how hazardous this mineral could be was
short-sighted.
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