[orgo814]

This question is from my textbook "You are in charge of disposing of asbestos being removed from schools where it was used as insulation. Devise a reasonable scheme for chemically destroying the asbestos"

I understand the structure of asbestos but I'm unsure of its reactions and how to destroy it in a good way. Any insight would be appreciated.

[discodermolide]

I'm not sure there is a reasonable scheme for the chemical destruction of asbestos
If it were me I would heat it to very high temperatures where it should become a glass then it will no longer have the asbestos structure.

[Arkcon]

I suppose, since you've been assigned a question in class, and not but a homeowner, you're expected to write something regarding the structure or formula of asbestos, how it works as a toxin, and determine some chemical methods  to remediate it.  What topics have come up recently in class that you think would apply?

[orgo814]

The chapter is on oxides. We studied the major oxides of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous. We touched on some basic silicates and we did learn a little about glass. It's all been descriptive material in this chapter which is why I'm having trouble applying it to this problem

[DrCMS]

What chemical reacts with glass?

[orgo814]

I'm not sure i just learned the composition of glass

[discodermolide]

What chemical reacts with glass?

God, is that not just as bad as asbestos?

[Arkcon]

What chemical reacts with glass?

God, is that not just as bad as asbestos?

Perhaps discodermolide:, we're not trying to actually fix a problem, but discuss some basic chemical concepts, for the learning purpose.  We being us here on the forum and the textbook, with the question.

The chapter is on oxides. We studied the major oxides of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous. We touched on some basic silicates and we did learn a little about glass. It's all been descriptive material in this chapter which is why I'm having trouble applying it to this problem

Great.  Now, what are the differences and similarities, in the text, between glass, and other silicate oxides, specifically, asbestos.  And what's so bad about asbestos, anyway.  Note: legal answer to that question is not what I'm looking for here.

[DrCMS]

What chemical reacts with glass?

God, is that not just as bad as asbestos?

I'm not keen on working with either but as a paper exercise to chemically alter asbestos that's one of the things I thought would do it.  I am not saying however that is what I'd do with asbestos for the very reason you highlighted.

[orgo814]

I know a similiarity between glass and asbestos is the silicon (SiO2). I know what's bad is that it can cause lung cancer because its sharp.

I still don't know a reasonable scheme to chemically destroy it though.

[Arkcon]

I know a similiarity between glass and asbestos is the silicon (SiO2). I know what's bad is that it can cause lung cancer because its sharp.

That is a summary.  But your summary is more than a little simplified and incomplete compared to this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos#Possible_Mechanisms_of_Carcinogenicity

I still don't know a reasonable scheme to chemically destroy it though.

Consider a physical one then.

[orgo814]

It has to be a chemical one. That's what my book is asking for.

[Arkcon]

Then presumably they're going to be insisting that there's a chemical reason responsible for carcinogenicity.  You'll have to look at the chemical reactions of silicate oxides.

[orgo814]

I don't think they're looking at carcinogenity they're just asking for how to destroy the asbestos using a reasonable chemical scheme

[orgo814]

Since this is only an assignment would combining the asbestos (sio2) with na2co3 and caco3 and then melting it to form glass work? Can't think of any other way