Asbestos

A group of fibrous minerals with many applications

Asbestos is the common name applied to a group of fibrous minerals mined from the ground in Canada, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and the United States.  Asbestos fibers are long, flexible strands of six minerals—amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and the varieties tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite—that can be combined or used separately.  These minerals occur naturally in the environment, are resistant to heat and chemical reactions, and have low electrical conductivity.  Because of its strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, asbestos has been used in thousands of products in the construction, automotive, industrial, and maritime industries, and in many consumer and household goods.

History and regulation of asbestos

Recognition of the utility of asbestos dates back to Ancient Greece, where it was used in cloth, and to the Romans, who employed asbestos in their building materials.  Asbestos use did not reach North America until the late 1800s when Canada began to mine it commercially. A short time later, asbestos became popular in the United States and usage reached its peak during World War II.

The first case of asbestosis was diagnosed in London in 1924.  However, documentation proves asbestos manufacturers knew of the health risks surrounding their product as early as the 1930s, but chose to conceal the information from the public.  The U.S. government waited until the 1970s to take action.  In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos.  Only uses established prior to 1989 were still allowed, and those are subject to regulation.

Regulations by the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have significantly reduced asbestos consumption in the U.S. and these levels have steadily declined since 1974.  Over the years, restrictions have become tight, from 12 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) in 1971 to 0.1 (f/cc) as the permissible exposure limit (PEL) currently in regulation. (See this article on asbestos exposures from the Center for Disease Control.)

Asbestos usage in many industries and consumer products

Because of the availability and relatively inexpensive cost of asbestos, thousands of popular products contained the substance before government regulation prohibited them from the market.  Many of these were industrial and maritime products, building materials, automotive parts, consumer items, and household appliances, including—

Adhesives Blankets Brake linings Caulking Ceiling tiles Cement sheets Clutch facings Coatings Coffee pots Crock pots Curtains Electrical components Electrical switchboards Electrical wire casings

Electrical wire insulation Fire protection materials Floor tiles Garden products Gaskets Hand-held hair dryers Heat insulation Heat-protective mats Industrial building materials Industrial filters for beverages Industrial friction materials Ironing board covers Irons

Laboratory gloves and pads Packing components Paints Patching tape Residential building materials Roofing materials Sewage pipes Sheet flooring Siding Table pads  Talc containing crayons Toasters Water supply pipes

Although the use of asbestos is now federally prohibited in small appliance production, there may be hazards to those who collect antiques such as old coffee makers.  You should also note that other countries do not abide by the same regulations forbidding asbestos in production as those that apply in the United States.

Contact our Florida asbestos attorneys

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related cancer, reach out to Anita Pryor or Alan Pickert for help from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.  We serve clients throughout Florida, and can travel from our Jacksonville office to meet you at your convenience.  We offer free initial consultations and operate on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing for our services unless we achieve a settlement for your case.