 Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is made up of of long, thin fibers which are mined. Asbestos is split into 2 groups- serpentine and amphibole. The difference between the two is their crystalline construction. Chrysotile reports for 95% of the asbestos used, and is the only type in the serpentine category. It is commonly known as “white asbestos” which is its natural color.
There are five varieties of asbestos discovered in the fibrous Anthophyllite family. Amosite is normally used in this type of building material. In its natural state it is brownish in color, and is most commonly used as tube insulation wrap for old boiler pipes.
Before its health effects were made known, due to its availability, low cost, strength, and naturally fireproofing abilities,  asbestos has been commonly utilized. Attic Insulation, wallboard, roofing materials was most commonly utilized, with the appearance is was a popcorn texture sprayed material, much the same as your ceiling texture.
Asbestos is a word that originates from the Greek meaning, literally “inextinguishable” referencing its primary usage as a thermal insulant.
How we still use asbestos today
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Airborne fibres |
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Vermiculite Containing Asbestos – Health Canada Advisory
Asbestos inhalation is associated with asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you find such material, check with your local or provincial health authority to determine whether you should consult a professional qualified to work with asbestos. Asbestos professionals can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Asbestos." You can also consult the Health Canada publication "It's Your Health – Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos." It is available free by calling 1 800 443-0395.
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- Patching and spackling compound
- toasters and other heat-related household items
- Wall and ceiling panels
- Building insulation
- Furnaces and furnace doors
- Brake pads and lining
- Pipe and duct insulation
- Floor tiles
Roofing materials
Although it was banned, the ban was overturned for items for which a fair replacement could not be encountered.
You may never know for certain if your building has asbestos without examining the substance. Though a licenced Asbestos Examiner will indicate what points are suspicious for asbestos. This is a reasonably inexpensive routine.
 More asbestos-related diseases
Asbestos warts - induced when the piercing fibres are embedded in the skin and Mould and Asbestost overgrown causing benign blister-like growths.
Pleural Plaques - discrete fibrous or part calcified thickened area observed on X-rays of persons in contact with asbestos. Pleural Plaques do not become malignant nor usually drive any lung deterioration
Diffuse pleural thickening - as above Pleural Plaques, and on occassion can be affiliated with asbestosis. This may cause lung harm but usually no symptoms is registered unless exposure was voluminous .
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