Asbestos and Its Impact on Health

Overview

Asbestos has been used in thousands of products in the construction industry, shipyards, and households.
Initially seen as a "magic mineral" due to its properties, it developed into a highly profitable industry despite its dangers.
Led to one of the biggest occupational health problems of the century with thousands of deaths.

Manufacturing Beginnings:
- Began in Canada at the end of the 19th century.
- Small mineral fibers promoted for their unique properties: soft like silk, solid like granite.
Promotion:
- Marketed as "Lady Asbest," symbolizing protection and progress (linked to industrialization).
- Factories emerged, providing jobs but with extremely dusty working conditions.

Dust Issues:
- Reports from as early as 1898 indicated that asbestos dust was dangerous, causing lung diseases.
- Working conditions were dusty, with reports of visibility issues in factories.
Regulatory Response:
- British government hired inspectors to investigate factory conditions.
- Concerns over lung disease linked to asbestos were documented, but full acknowledgment of dangers was slow.
Nelly Kershaw Case:
- Inquest into her death in 1924 revealed lungs damaged by asbestos fibers.
- Led to the first acknowledgment of "asbestos poisoning" but the company (Turner Brothers) refused responsibility.

Insurance Practices:
- By 1918, insurance companies were reluctant to provide coverage for asbestos workers due to health risks.
Corporate Secrecy:
- Research conducted on lab animals showed a link between asbestos and lung cancer.
- Corporate leadership suppressed findings regarding health risks to protect the industry.

At least 18,000 products made from asbestos, including:
- Packing for steam engines
- Friction surfaces
- Fireproof curtains and covers in homes

Despite known dangers, the asbestos industry thrived for decades, impacting countless lives.
Ongoing struggle between health awareness and corporate interests continues to shape the narrative around asbestos.