Context: The Ministry of Education has banned the use of asbestos in construction or refurbishment of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary said.

nternational health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have classified all main forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans.

Main Points to Learn

• Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals characterized by their fibrous structure, remarkable durability, and resistance to heat and chemical damage.

Asbestos is not a single mineral but encompasses several distinct types, the most notable being:

• Chrysotile (White Asbestos): The most commonly used form, featuring long, curly fibers. Chrysotile is primarily found in serpentine rock and was favored for its flexibility and heat resistance.
• Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos): Composed of extremely thin, straight fibers, crocidolite is considered one of the most dangerous due to its potential for causing lung cancers.
• Amosite (Brown Asbestos): Known for its heat resistance, amosite fibers are straight and brittle, and they were commonly used in insulation products.
• Others (Anthophyllite, Actinolite, Tremolite): These forms occur naturally and have been found as contaminants in chrysotile deposits or used on a smaller scale in commercial applications.

Due to its unique physical properties, asbestos was widely used throughout the 20th century:

• Building Materials: Its fire-retardant and insulating properties made asbestos ideal for use in cement products, roofing shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, and insulation around pipes.
• Manufacturing and Automotive Industry: Asbestos found applications in products such as heat-resistant fabrics, automobile brakes, and friction materials in clutches and transmissions.
• Other Applications: The durability and chemical inertness of asbestos also led to its use in fireproof clothing, electrical insulation, and various industrial filters.

The very qualities that made asbestos valuable—its fibrous, durable nature—also render it dangerously carcinogenic when inhaled:

• Continuous inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to conditions such as:
  • Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease resulting from scarring of lung tissue.
  • Lung Cancer: Particularly in individuals exposed at high levels, especially when combined with smoking.
  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum).
• Latency Period: Diseases related to asbestos exposure often appear decades after the initial exposure, complicating diagnosis and the ability to trace the source of exposure.

Source : Indian Express