Asbestos is a bunch of minerals which have long and thin fibrous crystal. Asbestos is a greek word. Asbestos means inextinguishable. By the greek it is also miracle mineral because of its pliant and softness property. Asbestos have a great ability to withstand heat.

In the late 19th century asbestos became very popular due to manufactures and builders. The reason behind its popularity is its property of resistance to heat, in ability of electric conduction and chemical damage also. Asbestos are widely used in brake shoes and for gaskets also. In earlier period it was also used in electric oven. It was also used in construction purpose.

But later on it was discovered that these asbestos are highly toxic which can cause Mesothelioma, a type of cancer. And another type of disease are also caused called asbestosis. In the mid 1980s, asbestos was banned in many countries.

There are six minerals which are defined as asbestos which includes chrysotile, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, amosite and actinolite. Chrysotile is found between serpentine rocks and this rock is common in the whole world. So this type of asbestos is found in every part of the world. Its CAS No. is 12001-29-5. This type of asbestos is generally band in several countries but in United States and Europe it is still used but in very small amount. This asbestos accounts for about 90% of the asbestos used in buildings in America. This asbestos is commonly used as cement roof sheets for making warehouse, garages etc. It is found in white color.

The next type is Amosite. Its CAS No. is 12172-73-5. It is found in Africa on a large scale. It is mostly used as a fire retardant in ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products. It is found in Brown color.

The other one is Crocidolite. Its CAS No. is 12001-28-4. It is generally found in South Africa and Australia. It is amphibole riebeckite’s fibrous form. It is found in blue color.

Asbestos was founded by the ancient greeks. In the starting period it was not recognized as a toxic material. Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, had used a table cloth made from asbestos. The cloths which were made from asbestos were called shastakeh. During the industrial revolution it became more popular. During 1860 it was used as insulation in U.S. and Canada. The first commercial asbestos mine was developed in 1879 in the Appalachian foothills of Quebec. It is estimated that about 100,000 people of the United States have died or will die due to asbestos exposure in the construction of ship.

In USA Chrysolite is used in huge amount and it can be found in joint compound, stage curtains, vinyl floor tiles, roofing tars, brake pads and shoes and thermal pipe insulation also. But in Europe and Australia it has been banned recently.

There are some more diseases which are caused by asbestos exposure. These are:

1. Asbestos warts: It happens when sharp fibers get inside the skin.

2. Pleural Plaques: It happens to the individuals who are exposed to asbestos.

3. Diffuse pleural thickening: It can also cause lung impairment.

Overall we can say that it is a toxic substance and it should be banned in every part of the world.