Out with the Old: Common Asbestos Uses and Its Replacements

One used abundantly in a number of applications, asbestos has since been banned due to its carcinogenic properties after multiple studies found links between asbestos and the development of cancer in humans, which is caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibres that then become trapped in the body.

Since asbestos was such a prevalent material in the production of many products, alternative materials have since had to take its place. But what is used instead without any desirable properties being lost? In this blog we’ll look at three of the most common uses of asbestos and what materials are now used for these instead.

Insulation = Fibreglass

One of the most common uses of asbestos by far was in insulation for houses and buildings, such as loft insulation and pipe insulation. It was used because its unique fibrous nature gave it a cotton-like consistency that made it an excellent insulator, but this also made it the biggest source of asbestos exposure for construction workers throughout the 20th century.

Nowadays, fibreglass is used in place of asbestos in insulation. This is a reinforced plastic material that is composed of a woven material embedded with glass fibres and held together with a binding substance. It has good insulating properties, is widely available and affordable, durable (though less effective when wet) and eco-friendly.

There are also no long-term health effects associated with fibreglass, although exposure to the fibres may aggravate asthma in those who suffer with it.

Cement = Cellulose

Many buildings used cement that contained asbestos in their construction. This is because it provided them with strength without adding too much additional weight, along with its insulating and fire-resistant properties that made it even more favourable. However, the weathering of this cement would gradually expose the toxic fibres.

You will now find natural cellulose fibres used in place of asbestos. These derive from cellulose extracted from trees and/or woody plants. They increase the cement’s freeze-thaw durability, give it the ability to hold more water so that it stays hydrated during curing and can improve both its tension and compression resistance.

Textiles = Kevlar

Believe it or not, asbestos was even used in some clothing and other textiles products. It was primarily used in firefighter uniforms, blankets and ropes due to its resistance to heat and corrosive elements.

The most similar comparative material that we see in such textiles as firefighter uniforms today, rather than asbestos, is Kevlar. This is a type of aramid fibre, which means that it is a strong (yet lightweight) synthetic fibre that is resistant to heat and corrosion. It is also used in bulletproof vests and safety/workers’ gloves.

Asbestos Experts

Though asbestos is no longer used, it can still be found in many homes and buildings from when it was used in previous years. If you have moved to a new home or are planning a building demolition and have found traces of asbestos, then you need to leave it to the experts to handle it professionally.

Here at Gowrie Contracts, we offer a number of asbestos services, including asbestos removal and remediation, as well as building strip-outs and reclamation work. With over 30 years of industry experience and expertise, you can count on us to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Get in touch with us today to enquire about our services.