Asbestos is known for a very long time, even the Romans used it.
Asbestos has been known for thousands of years. No one remembers who first figured out that it was a useful sort of rock.
Simple anwer: It wasn't. There are about 5 kinds of asbestos rock. Asbestos occurs in nature and is mined to be used for industrial reasons. By the way, only 1 out of the 5 types of asbestos is cancer-causing.
Asbestos was used as roofs for houses because it is fire-resistant, durable, and has good insulating properties. However, it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, leading to its ban in many countries.
Some states allow home owners to remove asbestos from their residence without the assistance of a professional. Due to the danger level in asbestos exposure the best action to take is to hire a professional who is skilled in asbestos removal. A professional will remove it all in a safe manner and dispose of the asbestos properly. Home improvement companies should ensure that they are well trained in asbestos removal to better keep the family safe. Continual exposure to asbestos in the home can lead to death and is a serious matter when discovered in a home.
Asbestos is a cancer causing substance which was discovered some 30 years ago so your new home is certainly aged. However, there are several asbestos abatement companies around and you can find a listing of these companies in your local Yellow pages.
Yes, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that is found in rocks and soil. It was commonly used in building materials until its health risks were discovered, leading to its restricted use.
Yes, asbestos has been used as an electrical insulator in cables, fuse boxes, fuses etc.
An asbestos square is a square of a material that contains asbestos in it.
The difference between the two is that an asbestos gasket uses asbestos as a reinforcing fiber while a non-asbestos gasket does not.
There is no international symbol for asbestos.
Asbestos sheeting is unlikely to be a health hazard unless you, or someone before you, drilled into it, sawed it, sanded it, etc.
Buildings were often built with materials that contained asbestos. Asbestos abatement is the removal of the asbestos, or other treatment such as encapsulation, that will prevent asbestos fibers from being released into the air.