ASBESTOS

INTRODUCTION: The term derived on the name of the German scientists Asbest. It is a silicate of calcium and magnesium found in form of very thin fibres in veins of metamorphic rock. Asbestos is the chemical and registry name. Serpentine asbestos, amphibole asbestos, fibre asbestos, blue asbestos are synonyms and trade names. The general properties of Asbestos are; It has water low permeability is vermin proof and resists rot. It is brown, grey and white in color. It is good for heat sound and electric insulation. It is resistant to acids and alkalies. Its fibres are capable of being woven in to fabrics. It is highly durable and is strong. Its specific gravity is 3.10. Its melting point varies from 1200-1500Co. It acts as reinforcing material when mixed with ordinary Portland cement.

BASIC CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA: Asbestos is not a chemical element, but rather an umbrella term for two groups of minerals (Serpentine and Amphibole asbestos)
ASBESTOS

Empirical formula: Relative molecular mass: Density: Melting point:

Serpentine Chrysotile Mg3 Si205(OH)4 277.13 g 2.2-2.6 g/cm3 1,500C

Crocidolite Amosite Na2Fe2(Fe,Mg)3 (Fe,Mg)7 Si8O22 (OH)2 Si8O22(OH)2 1,008.82 g 2.8-3.6 g/cm3 1,200C 1,171.83 g

Amphibole Anthophyllite Mg7 Si8O22(OH)2 780.88 g

Tremolite Ca2Mg5 Si8O22(OH)2 812.42 g

Actinolite Ca2(Mg,Fe)5 Si8O22(OH)2 1,091.67 g

2.9-3.3 g/cm3 2.8-3.2 g/cm3 1,400C 1,450C

2.9-3.2 g/cm3 3.0-3.21 g/cm3 1,315C 1,400C

Flash point: asbestos is non-combustible, resistant to heat and features a low conductivity in water: insoluble.

MINING:

The locally occurring asbestos deposits have been mined using primitive methods since the late 80s. During the present study it was discovered that almost 90% of the deposits that occur in KPK. Pakistan are productive and located in Kaiser Kili, Danish Kool, Gumbatai, Prang Ghar, Bucha, Nawa Kili, Newe Dheri, Kuchian (Mohmand Agency), Hero shah, Kot (Malakand Agency), Boya village and Khost valley (North Waziristan Agency), Alpurai, (Swat) and Behram Dheri (Charsadda). In these areas asbestos deposits are mined through surface, open pit and underground mines using conventional methods and dynamite blasting. Due to the current mining operations, an estimated 60% of the ore has been wasted. During mining no pre-cautionary and protective measurements were adopted to protect occupational and environmental health. Apart from the mining operations, the surface and open pit mines remain permanently exposed to natural processes including weathering, erosion, land sliding, flooding and earthquake. Theses processes can become a major source of asbestos dust in the atmosphere. During this study, large numbers of abandoned asbestos mines were also identified at several locations particularly in Behram Dheri, Qila and Gumbatai area. EXTRACTION AND PREPARATION: Various asbestos deposits contain different proportions of pure asbestos fibers and other mineral contents of the associated parent rocks. In the study area, in order to obtain pure and good quality asbestos, the raw material is passed through manual processes including preliminary sorting, drying, sieving and crushing, The raw asbestos storage and processing units are mostly located in residential and commercial area. Raw asbestos, mostly dumped in the open air in front and the backyard of the houses. The women and children used to sort out the fine, pure asbestos fibers and sieve it manually. The fine and pure asbestos fibers have been packed in ordinary cloth or plastic sacks. From these storage places, asbestos is taken to the crushing units and dumped again in the open air for drying in the sun. During these processes a huge amount of airborne asbestos fibers along with other hazardous minerals disseminate (Spread) in the air and become the potential source of occupational and para-occupational exposure. USES: Asbestos has been used since the Stone Age but it did not come into widespread use in the industrialized world by the end of the 19" century. By 1980 over 100 million metric tons of asbestos had been mined worldwide, of which about 90% was of the chrysotile variety. "Asbestos" is one of the most desirable industrial minerals.

Presently asbestos is used in thousands of products around the Globe. The way asbestos has been incorporated into various end products can be categorized in to three groups. Its product is generally used in combination with water as insulating plasters, cement, or spray mixtures. Asbestos fibers have been mostly consumed in composite products. The cement variety. i.e. asbestos cement constitutes a major component of this group. Asbestos cement products are light in weight, strong, durable, water proof and resist corrosion. Other products of major importance are friction materials, insulation boards, millboards, paper, reinforced plastics, vinyl tiles and sheets. Asbestos can also be used in textile products, such as insulation cloth, protective clothing, fire protection, and electrical insulation. The major asbestos-containing products, fiber contents and uses.