Throughout history asbestos has been used for many items including insulation, brake pads, and even a brand of cigarettes used asbestos in the 1950’s. Asbestos was once thought of as the wonder material that can insulate and protect against fire, but we now know the extreme dangers associated with asbestos inhalation.
Inhaling the asbestos fibers can cause cancer, mesothelioma, and a host of other lung related diseases. Most asbestos caused disease occurs in people who chronically inhale the fibers such as Asbestos mine workers.
Although many Countries limit or outright ban the mining and or use of asbestos, Australia did not completely cease use of all asbestos products until 2003. Air monitoring at mines helped to show that asbestos was a direct cause of mesothelioma and other lung related diseases that has afflicted thousands of Asbestos miners, ship builders, and other workers who were exposed to asbestos.
Any new construction in Australia is banned from using any type of asbestos. Air monitoring Sydney has found that there is no chance of asbestos inhalation at new construction sites because of the ban on asbestos.
Although most developed Countries have bans on asbestos some developed Countries such as Russia still use many asbestos based products when constructing new buildings. People in these Countries may be exposed to asbestos if it is disturbed. When Russia allows schools to be built using asbestos, it is really discouraging to think of all the potential deaths that will occur as young kids may be exposed to asbestos and develop lung related disease very early in life.