A Brief History of Asbestos: When Did We Learn It Was Toxic?

If you work in the construction industry, chances are you have heard of asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally occurring mineral that was once used extensively in various construction materials like insulation, cement and roofing. It was lightweight, and could resist high temperatures, electricity and chemical corrosion. In fact, it used to be hailed as the “magic mineral.”

However, asbestos was soon discovered to be anything but magic. People who were exposed to it suddenly began developing insidious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

When asbestos is broken or disturbed, its small fibers can become airborne where they are easily inhaled and swallowed. Once in the body, these fibers can irritate organ tissue and cause DNA damage.

Asbestos and the Industrial Era

Though archaeological evidence suggests that asbestos has been used since at least 2500 B.C., its mining and use soared during the late 1800s, the period commonly known as the Industrial Era. Chrysotile deposits had been discovered and mined in Thetford, Canada and crocidolite was discovered and mined in South Africa.

When steam engines were in heavy use, asbestos was used to insulate the boilers and pipes. In 1899, a chemist named Ludwig Hatschek unveiled Eternit, the first combination of asbestos and cement. Its use became vastly popular because it was inexpensive and fire-retardant.

From there, asbestos companies came up with many more uses for the mineral. It was woven into fabric, used to insulate buildings. It even made its way into talcum powder and toothpaste. It seemed that the world could not get enough of asbestos and consumption steadily rose.

The Dangers of Asbestos Revealed

The first firm reports of asbestos-related cancer came from German doctors in the late 1930s. At the time, American and English doctors were still reluctant to make such a claim. In fact, the Germans were so convinced of the carcinogenic properties of asbestos that they made asbestos-related diseases compensable. A lot of people suffering cancer even need home care like https://homecareassistance.com/los-gatos/.

By the 1960s, serious diseases like mesothelioma were firmly established as being caused by asbestos exposure. Studies were even done regarding non-occupational asbestos exposure, sometimes called secondary exposure. Most of these studies were related to the families of those who worked with asbestos.

Since those early studies, there have been several more clinical trials and studies done on the toxicity of asbestos. In many countries, asbestos is now banned or heavily regulated because of its carcinogenic and toxic properties. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) have condemned its use. Now, those affected by asbestos exposure are strongly urged to seek legal help from asbestos cancer lawyers.

Despite this, there are still a handful of developing countries that continue to use asbestos and expose their workers to it. Its perpetuated use continues to stir controversy. Many doctors and researchers predict that the number of people who develop asbestos-related disease has yet to peak in these countries.

Bio: Michelle Y. Llamas is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. She is committed to generating awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and providing information regarding breakthroughs in mesothelioma treatment.