Sanderson Curtain Material
Asbestos is a thread-like mineral that has historically been used to add strength and heat-resistance to construction and other materials. Asbestos is cheap, readily available, and easy to work with, so throughout the twentieth century in much of the world, it was treated as a "miracle mineral" for fireproofing everything from insulation material to clothing to theatrical fire curtains. However, when it became widely known in the 1970s that asbestos could cause serious lung problems, many nations began prohibiting its use. Just this year, Turkey has joined many other countries in officially banning this dangerous substance.
When asbestos fibers are 00004000 inhaled or ingested, they lodge in the body, where they can cause problems such as lung scarring, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, are easily confused with other conditions, meaning that the cancer may not be diagnosed until it is in its later stages and far more resistant to traditional treatment. The Turkish parliament released a report claiming that the rate of asbestos-related cancers such as mesothelioma in Turkey was a staggering 700 times that of the world average. Environmental groups are rejoicing at the ban, but still pushing for further measures to ensure public safety in the country.
While asbestos itself will no longer be exported or imported, shipbreaking continues to be a vital industry in Turkey. Vessels from all around the world are brought to Aliaga, a port in the Izmir province, to be dismantled and sold for scrap. This allows some parts of the ship to be reused, but unfortunately, it can also expose workers and others in the area to asbestos. The mineral was used extensively in watercraft, especially in navy ships, because the danger of fire at sea from malfunction or enemy fire was so high. Asbestos-containing materials were used to insulate the boiler, engine room, and other parts of the ship so that if a fire did break out, it could be more easily contained.
When the ships are taken apart, the asbestos-containing materials are damaged and deadly fibers are released into the air. Because of these health hazards, organizations such as the Yuva Society are working to phase out the shipbreaking industry and make sure that developed countries do not continue to transfer toxic materials to developing nations.
The dangers of shipbreaking are minimal for casual travelers, especially within the city limits of Istanbul, but it pays to be aware of possible sources of asbestos. Since there are naturally-occurring deposits of the mineral in central and eastern Turkey, soil containing the material has traditionally been used to plaster or whitewash walls in some villages. Travelers to these areas should avoid construction sites and dust, being careful not to inhale or ingest the soil. Mesothelioma symptoms are serious, and travelers should take care to protect their health while visiting this fascinating and history-rich country.
Categorised as: curtains