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What is asbestos? Detailed answer

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What is asbestos?

Many of us believe that asbestos was discovered recently, but it has been known to man for many thousands of years! In ancient temples, it was used for torches and to protect altars from fire. Even 2000 years ago, asbestos was used by the ancient Romans for cremation. There is a legend that Charlemagne had an asbestos tablecloth, which he threw into the fire to remove stains.

Translated from Greek, the word "asbestos" means "non-disappearing" or "non-combustible". It is now used to refer to a group of fibrous minerals that resist fire. Minerals containing asbestos vary in composition, strength, flexibility and application. Asbestos includes such chemical elements as silicates of lime and magnesium, and sometimes iron.

Having a fibrous structure, asbestos resembles cotton and wool, but its advantage is that it is warm and fire resistant. Therefore, it is widely used in industry, and scientists have not yet been able to find a replacement for it.

It is the only mineral from which fiber is obtained and fabric is woven. At enterprises where there is a risk of fire, workers' clothing is entirely made of asbestos, including hats, gloves, outerwear, shoes. Asbestos withstands temperatures from 1090° to 1650°C, and some varieties of it - up to 2760°C!

The United States produces almost half of the world's asbestos, but has only 5% of the world's raw materials. 75% of the world's reserves are located in Canada, in the province of Quebec.

Asbestos occurs in layers in some rocks. Sometimes mines are required to extract it. To obtain one ton of asbestos, you have to process up to 45 tons of rock!

Author: Likum A.

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