Stone Sheathing
Stone sheathing is a material which is sued like a vener, to add the look and feel of stone and stone texture to interior and exterior construction applications. Occurring as a paste-like substance in a wide variety of colors and textures, the material is widely used and highly popular especially in commercial, public, and industrial buildings, where the look of stone is desired but the cost of real stone would be prohibitive. In addition to adding a stone-like appearance, stone sheathing also adds a degree of insulation and fire resistance to the buildings where it is used.
Stone Sheathing and Asbestos
Like other construction materials which needed to be flexible when applied, yet strong and durable when dry, stone sheathing relied on the “miracle mineral” known as asbestos to offer these qualities, and a host of other desirable characteristics, including insulation and resistance to both heat and corrosion. Asbestos was also cheap and readily available, resulting in low cost to manufacturers, construction contractors, and end users.
But asbestos also involves other characteristics which make it an extremely dangerous product to work with, or even to work or live near. Occurring naturally in tiny strand or fibers, asbestos particles easily break away when disturbed during manufacture or construction, or even over time as the material becomes brittle with age. Once in the air, these materials can float long distances, and can be easily inhaled or ingested. In the body, asbestos fibers lodge permanently, causing scarring and eventually a number of serious and even life-threatening health concerns, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
In 1977, the federal government reacted to safety warnings and banned the use of asbestos in the manufacture of construction, industrial, and other materials. It allowed the continued use of remaining stockpiles, however, prolonging the use of asbestos-laden materials well into the 1980s. As a result, millions of men and women were exposed to the fibers and their attendant health risks.
There is no cure for asbestos exposure, and it can take decades for symptoms to appear. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos at work or in other areas of your life, you should talk to your health care professional about determining your possible exposure risks.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
