A Quick History of Asbestos

Thousands of Americans are diagnosed with asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma, each year. These diseases typically attack the patient’s lungs and respiratory system. Asbestos has been known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and more. Many of these diseases may form from a single exposure to asbestos.

The material has a rich history of uses throughout the world. However, only in the last century have the dangers of asbestos been publicly known.

Asbestos use can be traced back more than 2,000 years. In fact, asbestos was named by the ancient Greeks and means “inextinguishable.” The Greeks discovered that the material was incredibly resistant to fire and heat.

The ancient Greeks used asbestos for wicks, funeral dresses, and napkins. Early documents suggest the Greeks were aware of the material’s dangerous properties as it was noted that the slaves that wove asbestos into cloth were prone to lung problems.

During the middle ages, asbestos use declined greatly.

Though asbestos use increased again in the 1700’s, it was the 1800’s that saw a resurgence. In the 1800’s, asbestos mines were opened in North America, leading to the product being a major export. Soon after, countries all over the world began using asbestos.

During the Industrial Revolution, asbestos use increased dramatically. Like the ancient Greeks, those in the Industrial Revolution made use of asbestos for its fire and heat resistant qualities. Also, asbestos was found to be a very abundant resource. Unfortunately, the Greeks warnings of health risks seemed to have been forgotten or ignored.

In the construction of homes and office buildings, asbestos was frequently used as insulation. In addition, asbestos was used in the production of steam pipes, boilers, kilns, furnaces, turbines, and other high-temperature products. After the development and mass production of automobiles, asbestos was used in the production of brake pads and linings.

Despite ignoring the early warnings of asbestos use, asbestos miners and factory workers began reporting health problems related to the material as early as 1899. It wasn’t until the 1930s that health warnings were released. Regulations were introduced in the UK to help protect workers from the dangers of asbestos; however, many workers still became afflicted.

During the 1940s and World War II, asbestos became a very important product for construction projects. Many projects relied on the material’s properties and abundance for wartime construction. In the 1960’s, health concerns about asbestos became more widely known around the world.

Since then, alternatives have been developed to replace the high risk material. Some construction workers have been trained in asbestos abatement. This is a dangerous, but important job. However, because of the dangers faced by workers, abatement is usually only conducted if absolutely needed. This means that asbestos may be found in many places today.

Today, asbestos remains a problem. Many countries around the world have completely banned the material. Many other countries have placed restrictions on its production and use. Though it is highly restricted in the United States, asbestos may still be found in numerous older buildings and homes.

Asbestos should only be handled by trained professionals, as contracting an asbestos-related disease is very easy. Asbestos-related diseases are often lifelong and are often fatal.