Asbestos - Overview Of History And Uses

The word asbestos is derived from a Greek term meaning “inextinguishable”. It describes at least 6 different naturally occurring types of fibrous silicate mineral.

The most common are:

Chrysotile: This white variety is referred to as serpentine because of its wavy/curly fibers.

Amosite: Brown, gray, or green in color, this substance is considered especially hazardous.

Crocidolite: This is a gray or bluish mineral. It is viewed as the most harmful type of asbestos.

Amosite and crocidolite are both classified as “amphibole” rather than serpentine and are made up of straight fibers. Mesothelioma is commonly caused by exposure to these highly dangerous materials.

Ancient History

Asbestos has been in practical use for thousands of years. It is easy to manipulate, very strong, and demonstrates significant insulation ability. It is resistant to fire and chemical damage. The first known application for these fibers was to reinforce pottery and utensils in Finland around 2500 B.C.

The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans used chrysotile in a number of products. It would be combed off of rocks and spun/woven into fabric. The Greeks and Egyptians both used this type of material as shrouds.

The Romans mined this substance from all over the Mediterranean and Europe. They used it primarily to strengthen and increase the insulation of building materials. It was documented as early as the 1st century A.D. that slaves who mined or wove the fibers developed lung diseases.

Industrial History Of Asbestos

By the 1800s, significant deposits had been discovered all over the world. Manufacturers in the United States used it primarily for insulation before branching out and including it in other consumer products. During the peak period of its consumption over the last 200 years, asbestos was included in an estimated 3000 industrial and military applications.

Timeline: Start Of Major Mining Operations

1878 Canada

1885 Russia

1893 South Africa

Other countries that now mine asbestos include: China, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Zimbabwe.

Problems Become Evident

Concerns about the hazardous nature of asbestos were noted in Europe as early as 1898. Nevertheless, the use of these products increased rather than abated. There were few substitute materials at the time for the vast number of applications in demand. Issues of health and safety were raised again in the 1930s, and began to be taken seriously in the U.S. in the 1960s.

Current U.S. Profile

• Since 2002, the United States has not mined any asbestos domestically
• Imports dropped from 3450 metric tons in 2004 to 1880 metric tons in 2008
• 82% of chrysotile imported into the U.S. comes from Canada
• Over 75% of these imports are used for reinforcing building products
• Amosite and crocidolite are no longer mined anywhere in the world
• 2007 legislation to further restrict the use of chrysotile has not been passed into law

The presence of amosite based insulation in older U.S. buildings is an ongoing problem. Asbestos contamination of vermiculite in Libby, Montana is also an issue. Safety concerns about the continued use of chrysotile remain unresolved.