History of Asbestos

The word asbestos is derived from the Greek word meaning inextinguishable or indestructible. Since ancient times, humans have used asbestos in their daily lives. The early Romans used asbestos in cremation cloths and lamp wicks, the ancient Greeks wove asbestos into their cloth and during the Middle Ages asbestos was used to insulate suits of armor.

However, it wasn't until 1879, when asbestos became a commercially mined product that reports of its discovery began to rise. During this time, newspapers began to report on the use of asbestos throughout antiquity. The Chester Daily Times wrote on September 26, 1879, "the guests were amazed to see a page enter, and, on bended knee, present to his royal master a salver, upon which was carelessly folded a soiled white table-cloth. Charlemagne, not in the least surprised, threw it into a fire evidently prepared for the purpose... A few moments passed, and the monarch raised it from the furnace unharmed and as white as snow." The table cloth was reportedly made out of asbestos.

In the first half of the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in many domestic products. Homeowners were enticed to use asbestos paint and siding to improve the appearance and safety of their homes. On May 9, 1911, The Colorado Springs Gazette referred to asbestos as "The Mineral of Safety And Comfort".

In the early 1970s, evidence began to emerge which proved asbestos dust posed a serious risk to the health of workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In 1967 Dr. Irving Selikoff, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, began to study the health and mortality of asbestos insulation workers. His research discovered that alarming rates of workers who were exposed to asbestos were suffering from lung cancer and a progressive lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos particles. The disease was later named asbestosis. On February 24, 1973, the Odessa American reported his testimony before a Senate subcommittee, in which Selikoff reported that of 17,800 asbestos insulation workers surveyed, nearly 459 died of lung cancer. He would go on to conclude that "Of the one million workers who have already been exposed... 200,000 will die of lung cancer, 70,000 of asbestosis, or lung scarring, and 150,000 of various other cancers."

The 80s and 90s cast asbestos in a more sinister role than it had experienced in the past. As further research indicated the dangers of asbestos exposure, public sentiment turned against asbestos and people began to insist on the removal of asbestos from public places and banning its use in everyday products. In the early 90s, states began to create legislation to aid citizens filling lawsuits against asbestos companies and stripped away a 20-year time limit on litigation against asbestos producers and in some cases, vendors.

In January of 2005, the Ohio legislature passed a bill that put a limit on personal injury asbestos lawsuits. "States are beginning to improvise their own solutions...What alternative do we have?" stated Ohio Representative Bill Setz in The Chronicle Telegram on January 14, 2005. The article also notes that "(asbestos) lawsuits have pushed at least 76 companies nationwide into bankruptcy..."

In February of 2005, asbestos company W.R. Grace & Co, and seven of its former executives were indicted for covering up the danger that its mine in Libby, Montana, posed to miners and the town's residents. The suit was brought against the company by the Environmental Protection Agency on charges that the company and its executives knowingly exposed miners and residents in Libby to asbestos and caused nearly 200 deaths and hundreds of illnesses. Attorney for Montana Bill Mercer was quoted in The Intelligencer on February 8, 2005, stating, "A human and environmental tragedy has occurred in Libby. This prosecution seeks to hold Grace and some of its executives responsible for the misconduct alleged in this indictment..."

In 1989, the EPA banned passed a final rule banning most products which contained asbestos. This rule was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1991, although certain products such as flooring felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial or specialty paper remained banned. As recent as 2001, more than 29 million tons of asbestos were imported for use in products throughout the US. Litigation concerning asbestos continues today and is still one of the largest issues insurance companies face.