Asbestos has played a pivotal role in the construction, electrical and automotive industries for many decades due to its excellent thermal and abrasive properties (Brandt 2008). The term asbestos comes from ancient Greek word meaning "inextinguishable". According to Hart (1988), the use of asbestos dates back to prehistoric times where asbestos fibers were woven into a fabric and used as wicks in oil lamps. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which is mined from the earth’s crust. It belongs to a group of silicates which can be separated into two distinct groups which are serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. (The Asbestos Institute 1998).
Serpentine asbestos consists of a layered structure characterized by the chrysolite crystal, chrysolite is commonly known as white asbestos (Hart 1988). A study conducted by The Asbestos Institute (1998) concluded that serpentine asbestos constitutes for approximately 98% of world consumption. Its incredible strength in tension and resistance to heat has made it a desirable material to use in applications where it could be exposed to high temperatures such as furnace linings and brake discs on cars. (The Asbestos Institute 1998).
Amphibole …show more content…
South Africa is unique since it is the only country in the world where all three of the principle forms of asbestos namely; chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite can be found (Rees 1999). Between the years of 1950 and 1978, South Africa was the 3rd largest producer of asbestos, 90% of total production was exported internationally. The methods of mining asbestos were very rudimentary and the separation of the asbestos material from the ore was done mainly by hand. (National Institute for Occupational Health
Serpentine asbestos consists of a layered structure characterized by the chrysolite crystal, chrysolite is commonly known as white asbestos (Hart 1988). A study conducted by The Asbestos Institute (1998) concluded that serpentine asbestos constitutes for approximately 98% of world consumption. Its incredible strength in tension and resistance to heat has made it a desirable material to use in applications where it could be exposed to high temperatures such as furnace linings and brake discs on cars. (The Asbestos Institute 1998).
Amphibole …show more content…
South Africa is unique since it is the only country in the world where all three of the principle forms of asbestos namely; chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite can be found (Rees 1999). Between the years of 1950 and 1978, South Africa was the 3rd largest producer of asbestos, 90% of total production was exported internationally. The methods of mining asbestos were very rudimentary and the separation of the asbestos material from the ore was done mainly by hand. (National Institute for Occupational Health