Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fibrous mineral: "asbestos" refers to a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It is known for its heat resistance and was historically used in fireproof materials.
   • A health hazard: Inhalation of asbestos fibers is a serious health risk, known to cause diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old building's insulation contained asbestos.
  • Exposure to asbestos is a known occupational hazard for construction workers.
  • Many countries have banned the use of asbestos in new construction.

Advanced Usage

• "asbestos abatement": The professional process of removing or containing asbestos materials to eliminate the hazard.
  • The school underwent asbestos abatement during the summer break.
• "asbestos litigation": Lawsuits related to diseases caused by asbestos exposure.
  • The company faced significant asbestos litigation from former employees.

Variants and Related Words

• Asbestosis (n): A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
  • He was diagnosed with asbestosis after years of working in the shipyard.
• Asbestine (adj): Having a fibrous, asbestos-like quality.
  • The asbestine texture of the mineral made it suitable for insulation.

Synonyms

• Mineral fiber: A general term for fibrous minerals, though not all are asbestos.
• Amiantus: An archaic or alternative name for a type of asbestos.

Related Phrases

• "friable asbestos": Asbestos material that can be easily crumbled by hand, releasing dangerous fibers into the air.
  • Friable asbestos poses the greatest inhalation risk.
• "asbestos-containing material (ACM)": Any material that contains more than 1% asbestos.
  • The survey identified several asbestos-containing materials in the ceiling tiles.

Noun

1. a fibrous amphibole; used for making fireproof articles; inhaling fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer