THE MIRACLE MATERIAL: A HISTORY OF ASBESTOS
Asbestos is the generic name given to a specific group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. The most common types of asbestos are Chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Chrysotile makes up approximately 90-95% of all asbestos in buildings in the United States. Most Americans incorrectly believe that asbestos was banned decades ago by the federal government. But asbestos is still widely used in the United States today.
Although asbestos use dates back at least 2,000 years, modern industrial use began around 1880. Owing to its indestructible nature and fire resistance, asbestos has more than 3,000 commercial uses. It has been used in roofing, thermal and electrical insulation, cement pipe and sheets, flooring, gaskets, friction materials, coatings, plastics, textiles, paper, and other products. Asbestos was used extensively in mining, construction, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry.
U.S. demand for asbestos increased dramatically between 1900 and the early 1970s. By 1950, the U.S. was the largest user of asbestos in the world. However, as health and liability issues became apparent, asbestos demand declined rapidly after 1973. Even though asbestos demand declined in the 1970s, asbestos was still used in the United States in over 3,500 products. In 2001, more than 29 million pounds of asbestos was used in product manufacturing in the U.S.
When asbestos fibers are released into the air, the fibers can be inhaled or swallowed. Although asbestos manufacturers knew of the dangers of asbestos exposure since the 1930s, it wasn’t until the 1950s that a clear relationship between asbestos exposure and lung cancer was recognized. And it was not until 1960 that a link between asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma was documented.
Once the asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may cause significant health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The effects of asbestos exposure are not immediately noticeable and often go undetected for decades.