We are all aware of the dangers of asbestos, but it wasn’t always so; for centuries man used this naturally occurring substance in many ways, largely due to its amazing heat resistance, making it ideal material for construction and anything to do with heat. We know that the Egyptians used asbestos in the making of cooking bowls, while the Chinese also discovered the heat resistance of asbestos, yet it never became apparent that this sliver-like substance was harmful to health, at least not until the Industrial Revolution.

Huge Demand for Asbestos

There are several regions in the world where asbestos is mined, including Canada, China and Russia and at the start of the Industrial Revolution, the demand for asbestos grew. Sheeting that contained asbestos was widely used in construction, and it also made for great roofing material, indeed, this deadly substance was incorporated into many things, and as we moved into the world wars, the demand for asbestos grew exponentially.

The Discovery

While those who worked in asbestos mines often contracted a respiratory disease, it wasn’t until the 1960s when doctors realised that asbestos was the cause of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, as factory workers were falling sick, many dying. This saw a massive about turn regarding the use of asbestos, while scientists began to study the effects of exposure to this substance.

Asbestos Removal

In Australia, there is a huge industry dedicated to the removal of asbestos in buildings that were built pre-1960. If you are in need of asbestos removal contractors in Perth, a Google search will bring up a list of approved contractors who can come and test for the presence of asbestos. It is important to understand how exposure to asbestos is dangerous; the material is perfectly safe if left undisturbed. It is only when disturbed, that tiny slivers of asbestos become airborne (too small for the naked eye to see) and if any person were to inhale these minute slivers, they become attached to the inner lining of the lungs. They might remain for many years, with no sign of any health issue, then, for some reason, the lungs become inflamed and that can signal the arrival of a form of lung cancer.

If you are thinking of doing some home renovation, make sure to call in an asbestos removal contractor to test for the presence of asbestos and should it be in your home, the experts can safely remove it and you can carry on with your home improvements.