Asbestos

Student Objectives: Students will understand the characteristics and uses of asbestos as well as its dangers.

Tips for the Teachers: Visit a fire station or invite a firefighter to the classroom. Ask them to discuss special suits or equipment that help them in their work, especially those that contain asbestos and/or aluminum. (See “Aluminum” under metallic minerals).

Suggested Activities:

1. View a film on the textile industry, emphasizing the weaving of thread into cloth. Invite a craftsperson to demonstrate old-fashioned spinning and compare it to modern processes.

2. Do a weaving project with yarn and looms, or make paper placemats.

3. Invite a doctor to visit the classroom and talk about asbestosis and other lung diseases, with emphasis on good health and its importance.

Measurements/Evaluation:

1. Why is asbestos different from all other minerals?

2. Why is asbestos being used less and less?

3. Why do people who work with asbestos wear masks?

4. Give an example of how each of the following asbestos fibers can be used:
1. long fibers
2. medium fibers
3. short fibers

 Asbestos

No other mineral is similar to asbestos. This is because it is found as fibers (small thread-like pieces) in rock. It is flameproof and heat goes through it very slowly.

After it is mined, rock with asbestos in it is crushed and the fibers are separated from the other minerals. Then the long fibers are spun into thread and woven or pressed together to make asbestos cloth. The medium length fibers are used in cement for underground water pipes. The short fibers are used in asphalt, vinyl tiles, and plastics for roofing, chalking and insulation. The asbestos cloth is used for brake linings, safety curtains in theaters, safety suits for fire rescue teams and wire insulation. The reason it is good for wire insulation is that electricity does not go through it.

Asbestos is now being used less because the fibers get into people’s lungs and cause disease. It used to be used for insulation in buildings like schools and homes. Today we know that the fibers get into the air we breathe so it is not used for insulation anymore.

People who mine or process asbestos must wear special masks to prevent breathing in the fibers.