Asbestos has been identified in ruins dating back to the Roman empire. Scientists believe that the material was originally used for its insulating and flame-retardant properties. Additionally, several cultures used asbestos to wrap the dead in before burial. Asbestos use flared during the industrial era in the United States, and continued to be used in many products such as insulation and textiles well into the 1970s. Scientists and doctors at that time had already begun to take note of the effects that asbestos had on those who had passed away with lung problems. Concerns from scientists and the results of various studies eventually were reported by the media and brought to the attention of government agencies, which led to the decline of asbestos use and laws to protect citizens from its harmful effects.
As some asbestos cannot be easily seen, laboratory tests must be used to confirm its presence. Asbestos that can be observed is a mineral with long fibrous strands, similar in appearance to insulation. Two types of asbestos exist: serpentine and chrysotile. Serpentine asbestos is made up of curly fibers, while chrysotile asbestos is frequently utilized in insulating products among different industries.
School administrations are mandated by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act to identify all asbestos within school buildings. A school system should first prepare and implement an asbestos management policy for all school employees. Additionally, a school official should be designated and responsible for updating the policy, and knowing where all asbestos is at and what has been done to eradicate it. The school must conduct a thorough examination of all buildings to identify any asbestos, and to continue to do so on a two to three year cycle to ensure that the asbestos is not changing or breaking down. Janitorial staff should also receive asbestos training.
Asbestos may cause a buildup of scar tissue within the lungs with repeated exposure, which is a condition called asbestosis. If the lungs are impacted by asbestos and kept from working to their full capacity, the heart will struggle to operate fully. Other conditions related to asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, which is a very painful cancer; peritoneal mesothelioma, which can cause problems within the abdomen and testicles; and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the heart.