Asbestos is a toxic substance that is used in construction and for various chemical purposes. The history of this chemical is very interesting and controversial, especially for Canada which is one of the leading manufacturers of this chemical worldwide. Asbestos became widely used in the late 19th century by manufacturers and builders. Because of its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, its sound absorption and tensile strength it was used in buildings, cloth, fire retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat, fire, and acid resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, drywall joint compound and even electric oven and hotplate wiring. Until the mid 1980th when it was proven that asbestos leads to serious illnesses, like malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis).
Continue reading ‘Dangerous Products – Asbestos’ »