Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used all over the world in a huge range of applications since its first discovery. Its chief physical properties are its durability and resistance to heat and combustion. It is an extremely fibrous mineral and mining, milling, processing and use of asbestos and its products create many small fibers. These fibers, which can be either inhaled or ingested can cause very serious health problems. In many countries asbestos is still mined, processed and used. In a growing number of others, it is either banned, or its use is severely restricted. Asbestos is not banned in the US.
Asbestos has been used in industry since about the 1880's. As early as 1918, American and Canadian insurance companies were no longer insuring asbestos workers because of the assumed health hazards of the asbestos industry. In 1935, researchers in both the United States and England reported a suspected association between asbestos exposure and lung cancer. By 1955 this association had been confirmed, and the link to several other types of cancer had been made as well.
However, the asbestos industry spent - and continues to spend - large sums of money trying to play down the hazards of exposure to asbestos fibers and to fight off stricter legislation.
Exposure to asbestos is a serious matter for you and your family. If you believe that you may have been exposed to asbestos, click here.
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