Book chapter
The History of the Extraction and Uses of Asbestos
Asbestos
2006
Abstract
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 ASBESTOS AND HISTORY
Asbestos is a commercial term used to describe two families of naturally occurring
minerals. Amphiboles, containing five fiber types and the serpentine variety, chryso-
tile, were materials known to the ancients. More than 4000 years ago, pottery in Africa
and Finland contained asbestos, and Finnish homes were known to contain asbestos
rock to pack crevices in log huts. The lamps of the Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome had
wicks made from asbestos so the lamps would burn continuously, as long as they were
filled with oil. Various Roman historians noted slaves working in asbestos mines were
not as healthy as others, and were thought to die young.1
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Details
- Title
- The History of the Extraction and Uses of Asbestos
- Creators
- Arthur L Frank - Environmental and Occupational Health
- Contributors
- Ronald F. Dodson (Editor)Samuel P. Hammar (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Asbestos
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Other Identifier
- 991019173777504721