Asbestos-Truth

Mining and commercial use of asbestos began in the 1800s, and grew significantly during World War II. Its popularity came to an abrupt halt in the 1970s however, when the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission passed the first laws banning its use in certain products, because the asbestos fibers were being released into the environment.

Industry found that the use of asbestos was further restricted after the Environmental Protection Agency issued more laws controlling the use of asbestos in industry during the 1980's. Mounting environmental pressure forced people to become better educated about the effects and harm that asbestos poses.

Asbestos occurs naturally as a mineral that is mined and processed into asbestos. Asbestos looked like the wonder product for industry because of its heat and chemical resistance. Adoption of the use of asbestos was wide spread in many industries eager make use of it's special properties.

Asbestos products include brake shoes and clutch pads for automobiles, insulation for boilers and steam pipes on ships, and strengthening agents for cement and talc-based crayons. If a building was built in or before the 1980's then you should assume that it contains asbestos as it's use was wide spread in the construction industry right up until it was banned. If it can be ensured that the asbestos is contained and unable to reach the outside environment then the use of asbestos is legal.

Exposure to asbestos is serious; the health risks associated with asbestos are high because some of the illnesses caused by asbestos are incurable. Lung damage caused by breathing in asbestos fibres is called asbestosis; it causes permanent lung damage resulting in a shortness of breath.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the major organs; it is as a result of exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma usually affects the lungs or the heart of the victim.

With centuries of the use of asbestos it may surprise many people to realise that it's health implications have only been known for a few decades. The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906; in the early 1900s researchers began to notice a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos mining towns.

The use of asbestos by industry dropped dramatically once the levels of litigation from its victims began to increase. Follow the right safety guidelines and it is legal for manufacturers to use asbestos.

The author of this web articles has written many other articles about asbestos. If you are interested you can find links to some of their other work below.