Thermal papers are one of the most used kinds of paper in our time. As we withdraw money from the automatic teller machine or when we purchase something we receive thermal papers in the form of receipts. There are still a lot of uses for thermal papers and we can’t disregard the usefulness of this piece of paper. But years ago, thermal papers were among the many products which contain asbestos fibers.
Asbestos fibers are one of the components that you would find in rock formations. And since asbestos fibers are strong, durable and resistant to pressure, it is popularly used in different industries. Asbestos fibers are generally safe if it is tightly bound however if people are exposed to it that it causes inhalation of the fibers then it can pose health problems. When significant number of fiber is inhaled, it causes asbestosis, scarring of the scar making it difficult to breathe. It also causes cancer of the lungs and Mesothelioma, a cancer of the abdominal and chest lining.
The effects of asbestos would depend on the number of asbestos fibers found on the air, the duration of exposure to the component, the number of times you were exposed and the amount of asbestos fibers you have breathed in.
Asbestos is known to be fire and heat resistant and since thermal papers are exposed to heat, asbestos was once incorporated in the mixture of chemicals to make the paper fire resistant. Asbestos is also used in other products such as the paper products that is utilized as pipe insulators and insulators of devices.
Other paper products that you can find at home may still contain asbestos; hence we should be careful in handling and dealing with such products. There may still be pipe insulators in your home that contains these products to handle them with care.
The consumer product safety commission or CPSC where concerned about this matter so in 1980 they halted the sale of paper products containing asbestos especially in products used at home. They made a study and found out the simple folding or cutting of asbestos containing paper, releases the substance in the air thus posing a risk on inhalation for the people around.
An important thing that a consumer can do when buying things that may contain asbestos is to check the composition and materials used. Make it a habit to check the contents of materials that is advertised to be heat and flame resistant.
If you are worried about the use of thermal paper, worry no more. Thermal papers that are available right now are regularly checked for the presence of asbestos and those found in the market are safe for use. However, if still want to be cautious and want to be sure about the product you will buy, choose thermal papers from known and reputable manufacturers. When you purchase products from trusted manufacturers, you are ensured of your health and safety. There are several trustworthy companies and manufacturers in the market.
