Firebrick
Firebrick, or refractory brick, is a block of ceramic material made from clay that is used to line high-temperature areas such as furnaces. The brick is designed to withstand extreme heat, contain or stop fires from spreading from a designated area and reduce potential damage in the event of an explosion.
Firebricks may be used to contain fires in the following structures:
- Chimneys
- Boilers
- Furnaces
- Kilns
- Stoves
- Fireboxes
- Fireplaces
This material has also been used in construction as a type of building brick.
Asbestos was added to firebricks during the early 1900s due to the material's durability, strength and flame-retardant properties. Although firebricks are no longer manufactured with asbestos fibers, older homes or buildings may still contain asbestos firebricks.
Hazards of Firebrick
Firebricks were often lined or cemented with asbestos, as this mineral is fire-resistant and held together very well in extremely high temperatures. Workers who manufactured and installed firebricks may have been directly exposed to asbestos because many did not wear protective gear such as masks or gloves.
Common industries that may have handled asbestos firebrick include:
- Masonry
- Bricklaying
- Refractory
- Metal foundries
Sawing, grinding, sanding or damaging firebricks may cause the brick to emit asbestos fibers. Microscopic asbestos fibers that have become airborne may remain suspended in the air for hours or days if the brick becomes damaged. Those in contact with the material may inhale or ingest the fibers.
Bricks that are whole and intact are not considered to be a health hazard, as the asbestos is contained within the brick and is unable to escape. If a fire brick is friable, or is able to be crushed, pulverized or crumbled through the use of hand pressure, then it is considered to be dangerous.
-
05/24/2012 -
One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
-
05/23/2012 -
A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
-
05/23/2012 -
School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..
© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
