ASBEST

OS

S.H.H Gardezi
 ASBESTOS:
INTRODUCTION
● Asbestos, a silicate
of magnesium, occurs
as a rock which can
be split into
extremely thin fibers
from 2 to 900mm
long.
● Asbestos has good
resistance to alkalis,
neutral salts and
organic solvents, and
 ASBESTOS:
INTRODUCTION
● Asbestos is the name
given to a group of
naturally occurring Serpentine
Serpentine

minerals.
● Asbestos differs from
other minerals, in that
it forms long thin Amphibole
fibers instead of
crystals.
● There are six different
minerals, divided into
 ASBESTOS: PROPERTIES &
APPLICATION
Asbestos is used in many
products because of their
high tensile strength,
flexibility, and resistance to
chemical and thermal
breakdown. Asbestos is used
in insulation, fireproofing
materials, cement and
wallboard materials, floor
tiles and roofing materials.
 ASBESTOS
CEMENT
Asbestos cement is
just ordinary cement Asbestos cement flue
Asbestos cement
mixed with asbestos, from ventilation unit
downpipe, hopper
in some cases and profile sheet

asbestos can make up

over a third of the
Asbestos roof
cement. It is a hard,
grey material which Asbestos cement
warehouse
was molded and
compressed to
produce some of the
materials as shown.
ASBESTOS CEMENT

● The proportion by weight of asbestos fiber is 9-

12% for flat or corrugated sheet, 11-14% for
pressure pipes, and 20-30% for fire-resistant boards.
● Water is added @ 6% by weight of solids.
● Asbestos cement is brittle and the impact strength is
too low.
● Fiber-reinforced cement-products were invented in
the late 19th century by the Austrian Ludwig
Hatschek. Principally he mixed 90% cement and 10%
asbestos fibers with water and ran it through a
cardboard machine.
ASBESTOS: HEALTH
RISKS
Disturbing asbestos materials may generate
airborne asbestos fibers. Asbestos is only
dangerous if it becomes airborne. To be a
significant health concern, asbestos fibers must
be inhaled over an extended period of time.
Asbestos fibers then accumulate in the lungs.
As exposure increases, the risk of asbestos
related diseases also increase. As long as
asbestos containing materials are not damaged,
the asbestos fibers do not become airborne and
do not pose a health threat.
 ASBESTOS RELATED
● Asbestosis–DISEASES
is a scarring of the lung tissue.
The scarring impacts the elasticity of the lungs
and lowers its ability to transfer oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Asbestosis is a slowly
progressive disease, taking 15 to 30 years to
fully develop.
● Mesothelioma– is a type of cancer. This
disease attacks the lining of the space holding
the lungs, called the pleura. Mesothelioma is
considered to be exclusively related to asbestos
exposure. Mesothelioma may take 30 to 40
 ADVANTAGES OF
ASBESTOS
● Durability-The mineral fibers of asbestos
mixed into cement add longevity to the
product.
● Inexpensive-Asbestos minerals are naturally
occurring and less expensive.
● Fireproofing-Asbestos fibers are mineral,
resistant to fire and even chemical damage.
Asbestos doesn't burn, so using asbestos
cement in areas prone to fire exposure, such as
around electrical components or in commercial
buildings with high heat sources, is ideal.
 DISADVANTAGES OF
ASBESTOS
• Health Concerns-While asbestos cement
should not allow asbestos fibers to become
airborne, it can occur with careless
construction methods and without proper
maintenance. Long-term exposure to asbestos
fibers is linked to causing lung cancer and
mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are
microscopic, so someone may not even be
aware the fibers are in the air. Any asbestos
cement showing signs of wear needs
immediate attention.
 ASBESTOS IN
PAKISTAN
● I saw somewhere on the internet that Pakistan
produces asbestos and making water pipes
from it, is it still used in Pakistan or banned
because the article was a few years back. This
substance(asbestos) is highly dangerous and
health hazard which will cause cancer in the
long term.
● Unfortunately the answer is YES.

Ship breaking industry is a major supplier of

asbestos to the other sectors as it is used for
insulation and its light weight in the ships.