Limestone

It is the raw material for the manufacture of quicklime (calcium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), cement and mortar. Pulverized limestone is used as a soil conditioner to neutralize acidic soils (agricultural lime. Is crushed for use as aggregate—the solid base for many roads as well as in asphalt concrete. As a reagent in flue-gas desulfurization, where it reacts with sulfur dioxide for air pollution control. In glass making, particularly in the manufacture of soda–lime glass. As an additive toothpaste, paper, plastics, paint, tiles, and other materials as both white pigment and a cheap filler. As rock dust, to suppress methane explosions in underground coal mines. Purified, it is added to bread and cereals as a source of calcium. As a calcium supplement in livestock feed, such as for poultry (when ground up). For demineralizing and increasing the alkalinity of purified water to prevent pipe corrosion and to restore essential nutrient levels. In blast furnaces, limestone binds with silica and other impurities to remove them from the iron. It can aid in the removal of toxic components created from coal burning plants and layers of polluted molten metals.