Words / B2

as-BEST-os/æsˈbestɒs/

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral once used for insulation, now tightly controlled because of lung disease (usually uncountable): asbestos cement; asbestos survey. Mesothelioma is a related cancer in higher lists; insulation is the use; fibre is the form. Asbestos in the H&S brief still needs the survey date. Mix-up: asbestos vs asbestol; asbestus spelling; do not write asbestos for ordinary loft wool unless the survey names it.

Meaning

A fibrous mineral once used for insulation, now tightly controlled because of lung disease (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Asbestos in the H&S brief still needs the survey date, not a DIY caption.”
• “Asbestos fibres featured in the lung-disease case, which is the medical sense — still name the condition if given.”

Good to know

asbestos cement / insulation / survey; asbestos fibres. Related: mesothelioma / asbestosis. Trap: ordinary mineral wool unless named. Chemistry, geography, and citizenship. A hazardous fibrous mineral — quote the survey date, not a slogan.

Near in meaning

fibrous mineral, insulation, amphibole

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