Asbestos: A Deadly History
Asbestos was commercially used as early as the late 1800s and saw a boom in usage during the 20th century. Due to its heat resistance and affordability, asbestos was widely used in the United States for insulation and fireproofing across various industries. We will take a closer look at the deadly history of asbestos and its detrimental impact on individuals and society as a whole.
Asbestos Use Over the Past 100+ Years
1900s – 1930s
In 1918, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported high fatality rates among asbestos workers, noting occupational health risks. Into the 1930s, asbestos was commonly used in shipbuilding, construction, brake linings, and pipe insulation across the U.S.
1940s
Between 1940 and 1945, World War II led to significant growth in the United States’ shipbuilding and manufacturing industries. However, these heavily relied on asbestos-related components, exposing countless service members, sailors, and workers to this dangerous substance. In 1947, the U.S. Navy continued to use large amounts of asbestos in its vessels despite growing health concerns, affecting veterans for years to come.
1950s
During the 1950s, asbestos exposure reached its peak use across American industries. This includes homes, schools, factories, and consumer goods. Individuals, both working and non-working, were facing exposure at significant rates.
1960s
It was in the 1960s that medical evidence began providing a clearer link between exposure to asbestos fibers and the risk of cancer development.
1970s
In the 1970s, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also established. Both of these organizations jump-started regulations for workplace exposure.
In 1973, the EPA banned spray-applied asbestos insulation under the Clean Air Act. Following this, the Sumner Simpson papers came to light in 1977, revealing that asbestos manufacturers had been covering up the dangers of this substance and its legislative impacts. The same year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned asbestos in artificial fireplace embers and wall-patching compounds.
1980s
In 1982, Johns-Manville, a major asbestos manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos-related lawsuits. Then, in 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was passed, requiring schools to inspect for asbestos and develop management plans to address it. A few years later, in 1989, the EPA issued a final rule banning most products containing asbestos.
1990s
By 1991, the Fifth Circuit Court overturned most of the 1989 EPA asbestos bans. However, the 1990s saw a significant decline in use, though asbestos remained legal in certain materials.
2000s
In 2002, the last U.S. asbestos mine, located in California, ceased operations. This was a move toward positive change, reducing the exposure to asbestos through the mining industry.
2010s
Throughout the 2000s up to the 2010s, thousands of individuals have filed personal injury lawsuits involving asbestos exposure. Trust funds surfaced nationwide to cover losses that victims experienced. In 2016, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act expanded EPA authority to evaluate existing chemicals, including asbestos.
2020 – Present
Over the past few years, ongoing changes have been made to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure. In 2022, the EPA proposed a rule to ban chrysotile asbestos, the only type still imported into the U.S. As of March 2024, the EPA has finalized the ban on chrysotile asbestos, phasing it out in key industries, including brake linings, gaskets, and the chlor-alkali sector.
Asbestos Disease History and Timeline
1910s
In 1918, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported high death rates among asbestos workers, noting occupational health risks. This was where awareness and growing concerns over asbestos exposure began.
1920s
In 1924, W.E. Cooke published the first medical paper documenting asbestosis, based on a British textile worker. Around this time, the first U.S. cases began to appear, including among shipyard workers.
1930s
In 1930, Edward Merewether confirmed in his studies that the inhalation of asbestos dust can cause a fatal disease. Similarly, the first major asbestos-related disease study began among workers in U.S. industries. By 1939, the Library of Congress had received a book on the harmful effects of asbestos and its link to cancer causation, which discusses the analysis of workplace illnesses.
1940s
The first attributable case of asbestos lung cancer was found in the early 1940s. In 1943, researchers began to associate mesothelioma with asbestos exposure, although the connection wouldn’t be firmly established until the 1960s. Researchers in 1945 began to associate asbestos exposure with various types of lung disease, including lung cancer.
1950s
By 1955, Richard Doll, a British physician, found that certain asbestos workers faced a notably higher risk of contracting lung cancer compared to the rest of the population. Additionally, Dr. Selikoff demonstrated through lung cancer studies in 1955 that asbestos workers are at a significantly higher risk for lung cancer, beyond asbestosis.
In 1958, the American Cancer Society officially recognized asbestos as a carcinogen linked to lung cancer and other diseases. It was in 1959 that the first report linked asbestos exposure to pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
1960s
A group of researchers, including Wagner, Sleggs, and Marchand, published an initial paper in the 1960s indicating a relationship between pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. By 1964, researchers Selikoff, Churg, and Hammond had demonstrated that insulation contract workers faced a health hazard resulting from asbestos exposure. Selikoff’s 1968 findings led to official recognition by the American Medical Association that asbestos is a cause of serious health problems.
1970s
A 1971 study by Dr. Selikoff confirmed the role of asbestos exposure in increasing the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer in construction workers. By 1972, the American Cancer Society had published more research on the link between asbestos and lung cancer. Further studies in 1977 focused on the connection between asbestos exposure and other cancers, such as laryngeal and ovarian cancer.
1980s
The first major legal cases based on asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, began to surface in 1982, paving the way for more lawsuits. In 1985, mesothelioma awareness continued to grow, as multiple lawsuits were filed against asbestos manufacturers. By 1989, Dr. Selikoff’s study continued to be cited, reinforcing the correlation between asbestos exposure and various diseases, particularly mesothelioma.
1990s
From the start of the 1990s, U.S. agencies began working on large-scale projects to identify asbestos exposure levels in the workplace and their correlation to disease development. In 1995, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified asbestos as a Group 1 carcinogen, making it carcinogenic to humans. Additionally, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published studies in 1999 that demonstrated the long-term risks associated with asbestos exposure among construction workers.
2000s
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published significant findings in 2001 on mesothelioma cases, linking them to long-term exposure to asbestos in industries like construction and shipbuilding. By 2005, research continued to show that workers in industries such as shipbuilding, mining, and automotive manufacturing face significant risks for asbestos-related diseases, even many years after exposure. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), established in 2008, advocates for awareness and more research on asbestos-related diseases.
2010s
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collaborated on several research initiatives in 2011 to track asbestos exposure in high-risk communities.
In 2015, the CDC released new studies showing an increase in asbestos-related diseases in non-occupationally exposed individuals, pointing to environmental exposure as a growing risk. By 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had added mesothelioma to the list of diagnosable conditions eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
2000 - Present
On September 11, 2001, first responders to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks were exposed to high levels of asbestos at ground zero. Nearly two decades later, in 2020, the CDC and NIOSH released comprehensive data on mesothelioma cases, with a focus on environmental exposure in public settings such as schools and homes.
Research continued into 2021 to explore new treatment options for mesothelioma, including immunotherapy and gene therapy. By 2022, advocates and health organizations pushed for the full ban of asbestos in the U.S., as studies continue to show a significant risk of diseases even from low-level exposure.
The Future of Asbestos Exposure
Despite reduced usage, asbestos remains legal in limited applications and continues to pose exposure risks, especially through older materials or contaminated products. For example, recent findings have revealed that certain talc-based products may contain asbestos, raising concerns about additional sources of exposure.
