The History of Asbestos: Then & Now

For centuries, being endowed with unique physical and chemical properties, extremely valuable had been asbestos to man. Enamored by its potential, humans worldwide valued asbestos and embraced it for commercial purposes. But today on discovering its pernicious and carcinogenic qualities they reject it, almost entirely. Do Know more in detail about Asbestos Removal London and Asbestos Removal Cost Kent.

Existing as bundles of fibers, asbestos has a high tensile strength, resistance to heat and chemicals, flexibility, high electrical resistance, and malleability. Hence, it had been an important ingredient in construction-related products. It had also found a wide usage in the manufacture of fire-retardant clothing and vehicle brake pads.

Man first courted asbestos in Finland's Lake Juojärvi region, where it was used for bolstering earthenwares. The ancient Greeks named it, 'Amintos', meaning, "undefiled", "pure". The Persian king Khosrow II Parviz (r. 531-579) mesmerized his guests by cleaning asbestos in the fire, while Emperor Charlemagne (800-814) used an asbestos tablecloth. Archaeologists believe that ancient king's bodies were burned in asbestos shrouds to preserve their unmixed ashes.

In the mid-19th century, Italy pioneered the production of asbestos paper and cloth. The UK started mining in1870 in Glasgow's Clydebank area, while Canada, Russia, Italy, South Africa were making their respective marks in the industry. The US, which was to later become a prominent player started its operations in1899. By the end of the century, asbestos' application flourished and was found in almost 3000 products.

                                     

However, the mid-twentieth century shook the faith in asbestos as several studies in the UK linked lung ailments and early deaths among worker to its inhalation. In 1931 the coining of the term ‘mesothelioma’ the Parliament passed the Asbestos Industry Regulations. The US government made a similar legislation. The US Court documents of the 1970s also proved that asbestos industry officials since the 1930s remaining on its hazardous effects.

By 2005 the UK and EU governments had completely banned the import and use of asbestos, America's last mine closed in 2002. Asbestos, the once glorified mineral, today, mostly lies in the grave of abandon.