Although asbestos is considered harmful and can have a negative impact on people’s daily lives, it does not necessarily mean that we should completely ignore it. In fact, it may still serve some purpose despite all the negative rumors and controversies. Here are the main pros and cons of asbestos:
PROS
Sound absorption
Asbestos is a perfect element to absorb sound. It is very unfortunate that the material is hazardous, otherwise, it would have been perfect to use in some cases. Nevertheless, it can still be used in inaccessible places that people can’t go in and where noise is loud, for example, electric stations or prisons.
Average tensile strength
Asbestos is the complete opposite of a rubber band, i.e. you may need a lot of effort to stretch it. You can break it, crush it, but not stretch. This can prove to be useful in some situations where there is a lot of counter-pressure, for example, a certain shift that may go to opposite directions.
Resistance to fire, heat, and electricity
These are probably the main and strongest attributes that asbestos possesses. In areas that are highly flammable, such as wooden buildings, boats, or airplanes asbestos may prove to be extremely useful in some situations. This is due to the fact that some areas may become inflamed, even without the presence of a human body (such as wires or tubes).
Affordability
Asbestos is a common element that can be found anywhere. That is why it is cheap and accessible. Nevertheless, this makes it even more harmful as anyone can have access to it. But in cases where the material is needed (although now not so common), you may have access to it. If you wish to know more about the history of Asbestos, read our “10 curious facts about asbestos” blog here.
CONS
Asbestos has many negative properties that can be detrimental to human health. Click here to read more about the negative effects of asbestos.