Why is slate banned in Europe, but in Russia it is a popular roofing material

If you think about what kind of roofing material has been produced for a century (probably, except for roofing iron) and has been tested by the heat of Turkmenistan and the frost of Siberia? The answer is slate. The house I grew up in has a slate roof for almost 40 years. And this is not the age limit for this material.

During the Soviet era, the entire countryside, the roofs of Khrushchevs in cities, were covered with this very material. But at the same time, it is known that slate is banned in Europe as a material harmful to the human body and polluting the environment with asbestos. Is it possible that in our country, where there have always been strict GOST standards for products, they did not care at all about the health of their citizens?

But at the same time, it was strange to find out that in the USA, the material, although not very common, is not prohibited either. I decided to figure out who is right about the slate?

Since the days of the USSR, many remember that slate is asbestos cement. Rather, since 2012. according to GOST 30340-2012 ( https://docs.cntd.ru/document/1200101614) this production

called wavy chrysotile cement sheets. Having looked in more detail what asbestos and chrysotile are, I found the reason for the ban on slate in Europe.

It turns out that asbestos is different. Produced from a variety of minerals. Namely, in the USSR (and now in Russia) - from serpentite, and in Europe - from actinolite. Serpentite belongs to the chrysotile group of minerals, and actinolite belongs to the amphibole group. And before they did not make any distinction between these minerals, until somewhere in the 70s. of the last century, with the filing of the "green" movement in Europe, they did not find out that actinolites under the influence of an alkaline environment are destroyed and get into water, soil and the human body.

In Europe, there are only deposits of amphibole asbestos. And chrysotile (a mineral resistant to alkalis) - only in the USSR and Canada. Chrysotile is also called "mountain flax", a chemically inert mineral.

That's the whole difference. But it was precisely this that closed the production of slate in Europe, that even safe chrysotile cement slate is not needed there for nothing.

Chemical composition of chrysotile asbestos. Polycrystal from various minerals and metal oxides.

This information does not say that you can breathe dust when cutting slate.

In Russia, the chrysotile cement production industry is doing great. The product line is expanding: colored slate, flat slate, chrysotile cement pipes. The factories are uniting.

As a conclusion, if you are satisfied with slate (or other products made of chrysotile cement), then you do not need to be afraid of horror stories about this material. As in the USSR, and now in Russia, it is safe for humans and the environment.

Well, how can you not touch upon the popularity of this roofing material? In the first place in our time is the question of price and durability of slate. As I wrote at the very beginning, the service life of 50 years is not the limit. If there were no large snow loads, then slate is a material comparable to the entire lifespan of a house or other structure. You will not find cheaper roofing material with such durability.

Ease of installation is also an advantage of slate. Even two people can handle the job. Can be mounted in the wind without the risk of lifting the sheets. Installation at any time of the year.

To be completely honest, you will not use slate in the construction of a cottage. The type of roof is not according to the status of the building. But a simple country or country house looks quite harmoniously with a slate roof. Moreover, you can buy colored sheets that match the facade or fence.

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