What is Asbestos?

Ancient Greeks employed asbestos as lamp wicks in their temples due to its non-flammable properties. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder referred to the mineral as “abestinon”, which means unquenchable. The contemporary term “asbestos” is derived from this.

Asbestos refers to a group of minerals with different types, the most common being blue asbestos (crocidolite), brown asbestos (amosite), and white asbestos (chrysotile).

Blue asbestos is extremely toxic. Blue asbestos fibres are like short, sharp needles. They cause a lot of damage to the lungs of someone breathing them in. They are also easier to breathe in than other types of asbestos fibres whilst at the same time being difficult to expel when exhaling. It was widely used as a spray-on thermal insulating material and had many other heat-resistant uses.

Brown asbestos, too, is hazardous although less commonly used. Nevertheless, it was used in structural steel and insulating boards.

White asbestos was the most frequently used asbestos type in Britain. It is less dangerous than brown and blue asbestos (partly because it is more easily breathed out and because the fibres are softer). Nonetheless, it is still responsible for asbestos deaths, including from mesothelioma.

In 1999, asbestos was banned in the UK due to its carcinogenic properties. Despite being recognised as dangerous for many years, its heat and chemical resistance made it popular for numerous applications. You can find a detailed history of asbestos use here. *link to timeline

Some uses include retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes, fireplace cement, heat/fire/acid-resistant gaskets, pipe and ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compounds. Asbestos was also widely used in the shipping industry.

Asbestos Claims Solicitor

Bridge McFarland, a specialist UK solicitor, supports and guides people bringing asbestos claims. In addition, Bridge McFarland has developed this website to share valuable information and insight.

Asbestos Awareness is dedicated to informing, educating, and supporting people in relation to asbestos-related diseases.

For further information, or to speak to a member of our experienced medical personal injury solicitors, please call 0800 987 8809. Alternatively, you can fill in this contact form.

To discuss making an asbestos compensation claim, please complete the form below to receive an email or a phone call from us.