History of Asbestos

Asbestos was once a popular material to use in the construction industry. This was mostly thanks to its ability to withstand high temperatures. Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring minerals that have long thin fibers. It found application in a wide range of household, industrial and commercial products until it was linked to various life-threatening conditions.

Some highlights on the timeline of the history of the use of asbestos include:

Diagnosis of the first case of asbestosis in 1924
The first case of asbestosis was published in the British Medical Journal in 1924. This led to hundreds of studies and the publication of various articles on the correlation between asbestos and other diseases.
Linking asbestos to cancer 1934

The correlation between exposure to asbestos dust and the development of cancer (mesothelioma cancer) was discovered after the diagnosis of the first case of asbestosis in the US. This was found in an insulation worker. Diagnosis of the condition in many workers at an asbestos factory later solidified the findings.

How much exposure to asbestos is safe?