UNDERSTANDING ASBESTOS Origins and Usage
Asbestos has been used for thousands of years due to its fire-resistant properties. Its widespread use in the UK began during the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It was hailed for its versatility, strength, insulation, and fire-resistant properties and was used extensively in construction, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry.
Hotspots and Traditional Industries Shipbuilding: Towns with shipyards, such as Glasgow, Belfast, and Newcastle, were hotspots due to the extensive use of asbestos in ships for insulation and fireproofing. Construction: Asbestos was widely used in building materials, making cities undergoing extensive construction and redevelopment, like London and Manchester, significant hotspots.
Manufacturing: Areas with heavy industry and manufacturing, such as the Midlands, saw extensive use of asbestos in factories for insulation and fireproofing.
Understanding Asbestos
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