The History of Asbestos in Manufacturing and Construction

Nowadays, asbestos is a word associated with cancer, health concerns, and lawsuits. Although asbestos now fills landfills, merely a century ago it was considered an affordable and effective technological advancement. How did the public's view of asbestos change so much over the years?

The Beginnings of Asbestos

Many would believe asbestos is a marvel of the modern age. In reality, it has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. Archaeologists have even discovered asbestos use in the stone age, roughly 750,000 years ago! Experts believe that humans were using asbestos fibers for wicks in lamps and candles as early as 4000 BC. This material was used to embalm bodies of Egyptian pharaohs in 2000-3000 B.C., make clay pots in Finland in 2500 BC, and wrap bodies before funeral processions in Greece in 456 BC.

Asbestos in the Modern World

When the world began to industrialize rapidly, asbestos was at the forefront of modernization. It flourished in the 1800s at the start of the Industrial Revolution and was used as an insulator for steam engines, electrical generators, and turbines. However, as its use increased, so too did the negative health effects experienced by those using it. Unfortunately, these negative effects would not be understood for some time.

Asbestos Hazards Revealed

In 1897, an Austrian doctor first attributed pulmonary issues in a patient to inhalation of asbestos dust. It wasn't until 1906 that the first documented death of an asbestos worker from pulmonary failure was recorded by Dr. Montague Murray at London’s Charing Cross Hospital. However, this did not stop asbestos use from being a part of American modernization and federal projects. In fact, roads built between the 1930s and the 1950s in the U.S. contained asbestos-laced asphalt!

Public Awareness

It wasn't until the late 1970s that the public became aware of the health risks associated with asbestos. Not until 2003 were partial bands placed on asbestos use in 17 countries, including Austria, Poland, Chile, Denmark, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia. Despite several bills in Congress seeking to create a mesothelioma registry, there is currently no asbestos ban in the United States, and asbestos is still a legal commodity.

Since asbestos is still in many products and buildings in the United States, asbestos abatement is a necessary part of ensuring public health. To get started, call Yannuzzi Group at (908) 218-0880 today!