Asbestos Information and Resources

History of Asbestos

Asbestos, which was used for over 2,000 years, comes from the Greek term meaning "inextinguishable." Even though the Greeks recognized the harmful side effects developing in slaves that worked with asbestos, the unique qualities of the material overshadowed the fact that it could cause lung sickness.

The Greeks used asbestos for napkins, candle wicks and the funeral dresses for kings. Some believed that the Romans cleaned these napkins by setting them on fire. The material would apparently come out cleaner, which lead the Romans to name the material "amiantus", which translates to "unpolluted."

In the 1700s, asbestos was used, but did not become popular until the late 1800s. During the Industrial Revolution, asbestos was used as insulating for boilers, ovens and steam pipes. The idea that this material could cause health problems was either ignored or forgotten.

As the 1900s approached, researchers noticed many people in asbestos mining towns were dying from lung conditions. A doctor named H. Montegue Murray announced that the lung scarring of a body he autopsied was caused by asbestos fibers. More research found that asbestos workers were dying at a young age.

Asbestosis was first diagnosed in Nellie Kershaw in 1924. Kershaw worked in an asbestos textile factory and was the first recorded death from asbestosis. The case was published, garnering notice of the link between asbestosis and lung disease. The study also suggested that the disease may not manifest until 15 years after the exposure. Unfortunately, people ignored this research and believed that the lung scarring was caused by tuberculosis.

More research on English asbestos workers showed that one in four had an asbestos-inducted lung condition. In 1931, regulations were established to enhance ventilation and classify asbestosis as a excusable illness. Unfortunately, the United States did not take such precautions until a decade later.

During the 1930s, medical publications released stories that showed an association between asbestos and cancer. However, this link was overshadowed when silicosis (a lung illness caused by silica dust) surfaced. Many lawsuits were awarded in the favor of those suffering from silicosis, causing many asbestos industries to hide the adverse effects of asbestos.

Asbestos was still being used in many industries even though safer alternatives, such as fiberglass insulation, had been introduced. Because asbestos companies ignored the dangerous health effects of asbestos, workers were continually exposed to this harmful material on a daily basis. Many question why asbestos was still used after research proved that it was harmful. The simple answer is that asbestos is very useful because it is resistant to fire, chemicals and heat. Even though more and more people were being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos companies continued to hide the dangers of the material from the public. Not until the 1970s did the EPA and OSHA start to regulate asbestos use.

The following is a list of some workers who may have been affected by occupational asbestos exposure:

• Steel-workers
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Shipyard workers
• Mechanics
• Pipe fitters
• Bricklayers

Unfortunately, people will continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases for some time. Because asbestos fibers cannot be flushed out of the body, the fibers that were inhaled decades ago may still be present. These fibers can put a person at risk for mesothelioma and asbestosis. Mesothelioma diagnoses will continue until all asbestos has been removed.

Those suffering from asbestos-induced illnesses now have options. Many lawyers are now trained in asbestos litigation because of the asbestos industry's greed and disregard for safety. Mesothelioma victims have received large settlements to compensate for their medical bills and pain and suffering.

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