Facts & Myths


1. What is Asbestos?
 
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral commonly found in underground rock formations. For commercial purposes, it is recovered by mining and rock crushing. Fine particles, invisible to the eye, are present in the air and water, everywhere. All of us may be inhaling them and ingesting them through drinking water every day for our life without any adverse effect on health. Asbestos is commercially used since 1900 and is classified into 2 groups. One category is called "Chrysotile" (white) Asbestos and the other group is termed as Amphiboles consisting of Crocidolite(blue), Amosite (brown) etc.
 
White asbestos (chrysotile) constitutes 98% of world production for its commercial use. Indian asbestos cement sheet and pipe manufacturers import all their requirements of chrysotile fibres from Canada, Brazil, Russia, Zimbabwe and Kazakistan for production of AC sheets and pipes. India imports only 20% of world production from above countries. Asbestos is also mined in India, but quantity and quality-wise it is of no relevance to our asbestos cement production. It is generally found in large concentrations in the natural bedrock of the earth crust.
 
The Chemical composition of Crocidolite, Amosite and Chrysotile are different.
 
Asbestos fibre, (composed mainly of magnesium and silica), is a great reinforcing agent. While its tensile strength is greater than steel, it has other rare and highly valued fire retardant, chemical resistant and heat insulating qualities. In fact it is a magic mineral and no other substitute can match its properties.
 
2.

What are Asbestos Cement (AC) Products?
 
Because of its exceptional strength and ability to cover inside area as reinforcement only 8.9% of chrysotile fibres are adequate to combine with cement and other raw materials. Over 90% of asbestos fibre imports of India go into AC sheet and pipe production.
 
AC Sheets have used in India for 70 years. Being weather proof and corrosion resistant, these sheets are practically ageless and maintenance free, whereas metal sheets corrode and deteriorate with age and exposure.
 
AC Sheets have also proven to be the most cost effective, easy-to-install, strong and durable roofing material for warehouses, factories, low-cost housing, and practically, any structure needing a roof. Apart from India, Russia, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Brazil are some of the largest users of AC Sheets.
 
AC Sheets and pipes, being corrosion and erosion-free, once properly laid and jointed, need no maintenance or replacement. They are also very cost effective.
 
AC products, which consume low energy in manufacture and do not in any way deplete the natural resources, meet the needs of the country in its developing economy in the context of rapidly rising population and limited resources.
 
AC products are manufactured under (ISI) license strictly conforming to the standards of Bureau of Indian Standards- IS 459/1992 for Corrugated Roofing Sheets, IS2098/ 1997 for Flat Sheets and IS 1626 (Part 111)/1994 for Roofing Accessories.
 
3.

Explain the negative reports on asbestos:
 
The bias against the use of asbestos in few countries is due to the adverse Western media coverage relating to altogether different types and usages of asbestos in the past in those countries i.e. sprayed-on asbestos and friable low-density asbestos insulation used under uncontrolled conditions at that time due to lack of adequate scientific knowledge. For example usage of amphibole (blue) variety in such applications. Though these particular usages have since been discontinued in the West, the claims relating to the past keep appearing in the media resulting in general confusion. In India Asbestos Fibre was never used as sprayed insulation.
 
But, once the scientific research into the risks of asbestos was set in motion, development and installation of pollution control systems took place, enabling the asbestos mining and asbestos cement industries to maintain safe and acceptable levels of dust pollution at the work places.
 
Once the safety fears were defined, the Governments have stepped in and laid down pollution control regulations and the mechanisms to enforce their compliance. Compliance with these regulations and standards assured the workers in asbestos cement industries a risk free environment .
   
For the consumer the asbestos cement products were always safe.

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