‘Asbestos’ is a Greek word which means inextinguishable or indestructible. It was given the name due to its fire-resistant properties and its utility where it could be safely used with fire. If we trace the use of asbestos in history, it shows frequent asbestos use in the past. We have strong historical evidences which point to the use of asbestos since the ancient times to the modern era.
Use of Asbestos in Ancient Times
 Since ancient times, asbestos is being used in wicks of flames, funeral dresses for cremation of kings and napkins which were thrown into the fire for cleaning. Due to this characteristic, the Romans called asbestos "amiantus", meaning "unpolluted". Asbestos has been in use since 2,000 years and was also used by Egyptians, who used asbestos cloths to embalm their pharos or kings. Persians also used asbestos cloth to wrap their dead.
Asbestos has been known by numerous other names too such as ‘mountain leather,’ ‘incombustible linen,’ and ‘rock floss’. Another interesting fact about asbestos is that the name of chrysotile, a common form of asbestos has been derived from the Greek word, "chrysos" and "tilos" which mean gold fiber.
However, its harmful effects did not escape the watchful eyes even then. It was noted by Greek geographer Strabo and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder that asbestos caused ‘sickness of the lungs’.
Use of Asbestos in Middle Ages
There are mixed evidences on use of asbestos during the middle ages. In some records, it is found that in medieval times, Charlemagne, the king too made use of asbestos napkins and table cloths to impress the court visitors and guests.
It is evident from some historical records that when Marco Polo reached England during his travels, he was shown items made from asbestos cloth.
However, during the late Middle Ages, use of asbestos gained popularity. It was extensively used in suit of armor for soldiers. It was in this period that some deceitful merchants tried to lure people into buying asbestos by telling them that it was a piece of wood from the true cross on which Christ was hung. As some forms of asbestos looked like old wood and did not burn, they took advantage of innocent people.
Asbestos in Industrial Age and Modern Era
The use of asbestos came back with complete vigor in 1700’s when its true powers were realized. During the Industrial Revolution in 1800s, it was used as:
- insulation for steam pipes
- turbines
- boilers
- kilns
- ovens
- textile industry
- building materials and other high-temperature products
Till the beginning of 19th century, asbestos use was in full swing and it was being used in a large number of products.
It was at the end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century that researchers and medical practitioners started noticing the large number of deaths and lung problems among people who worked in relation to asbestos. In 1897, a Viennese physician declared pulmonary problems and diseases to be caused by asbestos inhalation. It was finally in 1906 when the autopsy of an asbestos worker revealed lung fibrosis.
The first case of asbestosis was diagnosed in 1924 in Britain when a women who had been working with asbestos since the age of 13, suddenly died at the age of 33. An English doctor determined asbestosis as cause of her death. This lead to a study on asbestos workers which showed that 25% of these workers were suffering from lung diseases.
Asbestos in United States
Asbestos was also mined from various locations in US. Asbestos became a highly valuable mineral in US with the arrival of steam engine in 19th century. Asbestos effectively helped with the problems of heat buildup and temperature fluctuations. It was also abundantly used in insulation of boilers, fireboxes, pipes, boxcars, cabooses, refrigeration units and steam water lines.
This use of asbestos continued till World War II and during the construction boom in US when the naval ships, construction materials and automobile industry used asbestos heavily.
- It was excessively used in brakes and clutch plates.
- Along with this, construction and building materials used asbestos in insulation products, floor and ceiling tiles, siding and cement pipes and textile industry.
It is estimated that on account of this usage, over 30 million tons of asbestos has been used only in the last century in the United States.
The health hazards of asbestos were forgotten in the face of numerous advantages this mineral offered. However, by 20th century, asbestos induced diseases were becoming more common. By 1917 and 1918, it was undertaken as a matter of research as to why so many asbestos workers were dying in United States. It was discovered that asbestos exposure could cause also mesothelioma and other diseases which lead to a decline in its usage. |
