Key Takeaways
- Asbestos has been used by humans since the Stone Age — initially to strengthen ceramics and cooking vessels. The ancient Greeks named it “asbestos” (meaning “inextinguishable”) and used it in candles, napkins, tablecloths, and burial cloths.
- The first documented case of malignant mesothelioma occurred in 1946. By 1960, South African researcher J.C. Wagner published the first study establishing a direct link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
- Despite the growing evidence, asbestos was used extensively throughout the 20th century in construction materials, shipyards, Navy vessels, and industrial products. Companies continued using asbestos even after its dangers were known.
- The EPA enacted a partial ban in 1989, restricting the import, processing, and distribution of some asbestos products. A court ruling in 1991 overturned most of the ban, though certain restrictions remained in place.
- In March 2024, the EPA finalized a full ban on chrysotile asbestos — the only form still being imported and used commercially in the United States.
- From 1990 to 2017, an estimated 236,981 to 277,654 Americans died from asbestos-related diseases. Today, approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
The journey of asbestos to mesothelioma is complex and eventful. From its birth in the stone age history to its modern-day uses in everyday products, asbestos has persisted in many places around the world. Valuable lessons have been learned throughout this journey and the rich history is one for doctors and patients to not only learn from but to be used as a roadmap of all the challenges that were encountered. Roughly 3,000 mesothelioma cases occur each year in the United States alone and this number has slowly declined from the growth phase of 1970 to 1990. It is easy to imagine how large this number totaled over its commercialization in the 20th century and how many people were unfortunately impacted by these fibers.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is recognized for its heat-resistant insulation properties. It can be found and mixed into many different products like paint, tiles, and cement. While the mineral can be used without being hazardous, if crumbled or damaged, asbestos exposure can occur. When it is pulverized, the dust is carried into the air and can easily enter the lungs of workers or nearby families. The occurrence of this has led OSHA to require companies to wet the fiber before use to prevent this. Unfortunately, this was after the multiple studies and tests conducted to validate the link of asbestos to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that attacks the mesothelial tissue surrounding organs like the lungs most frequently, the abdomen, heart, and testicles. Let’s dive into this history a bit further.
Stone Age
Asbestos was said to have been first discovered in the Stone Age. It was primarily used as a “temper or strengthener for ceramics” to aid in cooking for these individuals(History of Asbestos, 2021). It is suggested by archaeologists that the asbestos was crushed using their hands and often “helped to strengthen the vessels and prevent cracking” (Clay Pot Cooking: A Historic Evolution, 2020). At this point, there was no connection to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Ancient Greeks and Romans
The ancient Greeks grew very fond of asbestos and used it in many items we can recognize today. When an individual was mummified and preserved, the Greeks and Romans found it useful to apply the naturally occurring mineral into the weave of the cloth that surrounded these individuals. In addition to this, asbestos was used in candles, napkins, tablecloths, and clothing. The name “asbestos” was also granted by the Greeks and is defined as “inextinguishable” which helps to paint the image that it is everlasting(History of Asbestos, 2021). The harmful effects of asbestos were quick to follow in the next time period.
20th Century – Asbestos and Mesothelioma
The beginning of the asbestos boom occurred early in the 20th century. At this point, there were no reported cases with the term malignant mesothelioma and asbestos being related. After the discovery of asbestos mines were found in the United Kingdom, China, and the United States, mass production began to occur. It found purpose in many construction materials, shipyards, and navy materials. The rise in asbestos use, unfortunately, led to the discovery of the very first malignant mesothelioma case occurring in 1946. Quickly after, in the year 1960, less than two
decades later, “Wagner et al. reported an MM epidemic among asbestos miners and first demonstrated a relationship between asbestos exposure and MM” as reported by the National Library of Medicine. J.C. Wagner, a South African researcher, was the first researcher to connect the asbestos to mesothelioma. Later in 1964 and 1965, articles began being published about the workers who were at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Some of these positions included:
· Asbestos miners
· Construction workers
· Pipefitters
· Carpenters
Statistics and facts surrounding the median age, latency period, symptoms, and types of exposure began to be identified and further investigated. In addition to this, it was still being investigated that individuals living near asbestos mines ( secondary exposure) were at risk as there was no definite causation that was shown. While this was the case the EPA created a partial band in 1989 that restricted the “import, processing, and distribution of some asbestos-containing products. EPA also banned new uses of asbestos which prevented new asbestos products from entering the marketplace after August 25, 1989” (EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos | US EPA, 2013).
Modern Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Understanding asbestos and mesothelioma has come a long way. Following the 20th century, research and action have been taken to prevent the occurrence of mesothelioma cases. From 1990 to 2017, Asbestos Nation claimed that “an estimated 236,981 to 277,654 Americans died from asbestos exposure”. While this number is unsettling, it helped doctors to further research products in which asbestos is found and recognize them as hazardous. It is additionally recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency that “exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air”.
In addition to this, OSHA began to create safety requirements like requiring face shields or gloves for industries using asbestos-like chemical plants, electrical manufacturing plants, and power plants. While the partial ban was in place, in March of 2024, a full ban on chrysotile asbestos was placed in the United States. The EPA described this ban as “The rule prohibits ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos currently imported, processed and distributed in the U.S., and will protect people from lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer and other health problems caused by asbestos exposure”.
If you or someone you know has been affected by mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease in the state of Pennsylvania, please fill out this form for a free consultation or call 1 (800) 505-6000 or reach out through our contact form for legal help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has asbestos been used by humans?
Asbestos has been used since the Stone Age, when it was crushed by hand and mixed into ceramics to strengthen cooking vessels and prevent cracking. The ancient Greeks and Romans later used it in cloth for mummification, candle wicks, napkins, tablecloths, and clothing. The Greeks named it “asbestos” — meaning “inextinguishable” — because of its resistance to fire. Its widespread commercial and industrial use began in the early 20th century.
When was the link between asbestos and mesothelioma first discovered?
The first documented case of malignant mesothelioma occurred in 1946. In 1960, South African researcher J.C. Wagner published a landmark study demonstrating a direct relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma among asbestos miners. By 1964 and 1965, additional research identified specific occupations — including asbestos miners, construction workers, pipefitters, and carpenters — as high-risk groups.
Why did companies continue using asbestos after it was known to be dangerous?
Despite growing evidence of health risks — beginning with Wagner’s 1960 study — asbestos remained commercially attractive because it was inexpensive, heat-resistant, lightweight, and versatile. It was used in construction materials, shipyards, Navy vessels, automotive parts, and industrial insulation. Companies weighed the cost of replacing asbestos against the financial risk of future lawsuits and, in many cases, chose to continue using it. The EPA did not enact even a partial ban until 1989 — nearly three decades after the link to mesothelioma was established.
What happened with the 1989 EPA ban?
In 1989, the EPA issued a partial ban that restricted the import, processing, and distribution of some asbestos-containing products and prevented new asbestos products from entering the marketplace. However, in 1991, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned most of the ban, ruling that the EPA had not proven it was the least burdensome alternative. While mining and manufacturing of new asbestos products did not resume, the ruling left significant gaps in protection for decades.
Is asbestos fully banned in the United States now?
In March 2024, the EPA finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos — the only type still being imported, processed, and distributed in the United States. This ban prohibits its ongoing commercial use and is designed to protect people from lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, and other health problems. However, asbestos-containing materials already installed in buildings, infrastructure, and products remain in place — which is why new mesothelioma cases continue to occur.
How many people have died from asbestos-related diseases in the United States?
From 1990 to 2017 alone, an estimated 236,981 to 277,654 Americans died from asbestos-related diseases, according to Asbestos Nation. Today, approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually, and asbestos-related diseases collectively cause an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 deaths per year in the U.S. These numbers continue because of the disease’s long latency period — people exposed decades ago are still being diagnosed today.
What role did Pennsylvania play in the history of asbestos?
Pennsylvania was at the center of American asbestos use for over a century. Ambler, PA was home to the nation’s first asbestos textile plant, which opened in 1896. Pittsburgh’s steel mills used asbestos extensively in furnaces, protective equipment, and building materials. The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard built and repaired ships loaded with asbestos-containing materials. These industries exposed tens of thousands of Pennsylvania workers and their families to asbestos — and the state has the third-highest mesothelioma incidence rate in the country as a result.
What should I do if I or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure?
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease in Pennsylvania, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
Sources:
National Library Of Medicine 1
National Library Of Medicine 2
