Ricerc@Sapienza

Asbestos was largely used in the past by several countries all over the world. From 1900 to 1990 asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were produced in large amounts and mainly utilized to produce insulation, flame retardant materials, as well as to improve the mechanical and the chemical characteristics of construction materials. Its extensive use has therefore led to the presence of fibers in existing buildings and within the construction and demolition waste. A fast, reliable and accurate recognition of ACMs represents an important target to be reached.

Asbestos was largely used in the past by several countries all over the world. From 1900 to 1990 asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were produced in large amounts for addressed to the production of insulation, flame retardant materials, as well as to improve mechanical and chemical characteristics of construction materials. The largest producer countries were Canada (chrysotile), South Africa (amosite, crocidolite), Russia (chrysotile), Finland (anthophyllite) and Italy (chrysotile). There are still some countries (e.g., Russia, China, Kazakhstan) where asbestos is mined and processed.