Asbestos – what happens when composite materials go wrong?
Asbestos is found in nature as crystals. Scientists discovered that it can be formed into fibres that are light and strong and do not burn. In the 1950s, asbestos was used in all sorts of composite materials. This includes roofing, electrical insulation and in heatproof materials – including science laboratories.
Over the years, some people who worked a lot with asbestos began to get sick. They suffered from breathing problems and lung cancer. Eventually scientists discovered that the fibres of asbestos are so light and thin, people can breathe them into their lungs. The human body cannot ‘clean’ the asbestos out, so eventually the lungs clog up or cancer tumours can grow.
The impact of asbestos has sadly, been quite significant. An estimated 3,500 people have died as a result of exposure to asbestos.
Now that we’re aware of the health problems caused by asbestos, it is no longer used in building materials. If asbestos is found in older buildings, it has to be removed very carefully to stop more people becoming ill in the future.
More free resources on composites and compounds