Asbestos – The silent killer

Asbestos is single biggest work place killer today. People who have worked with material are at serious risk from developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratory illnesses that debilitate their victims. Evidence of asbestos’ deadly effect on those who breathe its fibres is likely to multiply in decades to come.

Asbestos was once heralded as greatest building material available to those in construction industries. Its high tensile strength, durability and flexibility, as well as heat insulation and fire retardant properties meant that it could save lives, make buildings strong and make industries rich. It was first used by Greeks some 2000 years ago. They were aware of health hazards it posed but believed that its magical ability to withstand fire far outweighed this danger.

The dangers to health were all but ‘forgotten’ until at turn of twentieth century when medical researchers noticed a large number of deaths and lung problems occurring in asbestos mining towns. In 1917 and 1918, several United States studies discovered that asbestos workers were dying unnaturally young.

Asbestosis was first diagnosed in a 33 year old woman in 1924, this lead to studies being carried out on asbestos workers in UK. Examinations on workers showed that thirty percent had asbestos-related lung disease. UK laws were introduced in 1931 to increase ventilation and to make asbestosis an identifiable work related illness.