CLOVES are legendary for their power to numb toothache and, unlikely as it
seems, the aromatic spice looks destined for a role in removing asbestos, the
fibrous mineral once used routinely to fireproof buildings.
Alternatives to conventional techniques are desperately needed. Usually
buildings have to be sealed off during mechanical removal, with air pressure
differentials imposed to stop the deadly fibres escaping into the air. Workers
must wear protective clothing to avoid breathing in the lethal fibres, which
cause lung cancer and mesothelioma—a cancer of the lung cavity.
Even with these precautions, fibres can linger in the air for…
