Question 1

what do asbestos look like exactly?

Accepted Answer

Small fibers: Small fibers.  Asbestos used to be recognized as an ingredient in things like brake linings, wraping for heating and air cond. Pipes in the home and was in many home products.  Usually you don't see the dangerous asbestos fibers that cause disease.  Asbestos has now been banished from home and products that could expose one to the fibers.

Question 2

what exactly is 'asbestos'?

Accepted Answer

Natural rocks: Asbestos is a type of soft rock. There are many types of naturally occurring asbestos, and they are used in many commercial applications. Unfortunately, fibers of asbestos can get into our lungs and digestive tract and cause problems. You can learn more here-  http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=30&amp;tid=4

Question 3

where exactly do asbestos come from?

Accepted Answer

It is mined: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined, much like gold, copper and coal. It is composed largely of silicon and has been used for everything from insulation to fire-proofing. When the fibers are inhaled, they can cause significant lung damage and disease. It has been largely banned from building materials in the us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/asbestos.

Question 4

what exactly are the dangers of contact with asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos danger: The major danger is inhaling small fibers of asbetos which can be trapped in the lung tissue and cause severe disease such as cancer of the lung.

Question 5

what is asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos: Is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistant properties, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials.

Question 6

how bad is asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Leave it be: If there's asbestos in your home or school, don't stir it up and it won't hurt you.  Inhaled at work, it is extremely dangerous, causing lung fibrosis, classic lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Tiny exposures won't hurt you, but the massive amounts that rotten corporations forced ordinary people to inhale in the past are now killing them.

Question 7

why is asbestos so bad?

Accepted Answer

Over hyped: Long term (many years) exposure to airborne asbestos can lead to chronic lung disease and a rare tumor: mesothelioma.  Most asbestos is used in insulation and is best handled by covering with paint.  However, the legal underpinnings have convinced the public that if they get within 100 yards of asbestos, that they are at risk - so we spend $$$$$ to remove it.  Only bad when released to the air.

Question 8

is asbestos really bad?

Accepted Answer

Yes: In the old days, companies allowed workers to inhale a lot of the stuff and there's no question these caused fibrosis of the lungs ("asbestosis"), mesothelioma, and common lung cancer. The 1980s hoopla over asbestos in buildings where it's not being inhaled was driven by big-money and politics as even the epa eventually recognized. Avoid inhaling the stuff and you should be fine.

Question 9

how harmful is asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the type.: The are various types of asbestos, depending on the chemical makeup and fiber size/shape. Some types seem to be more harmful than others, but all types should be considered harmful and carcinogenic.  Asbestos can cause serious lung disease (asbestosis) or deadly cancer of the lung or abdomen (mesothelioma).  Smoking combined with asbestos exposure greatly raises the lung cancer risk.

Question 10

can you tell me about asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Dangerous insulation: This is a naturally-occurring mineral that is a great insulator. Everyone's lungs contain a few particles, but if they are inhaled in large quantities even for a short time, it creates a lifetime risk for lung fibrosis and some cancers. Left alone or simply touched, it presents no danger.

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