The Asbestos Industry’s Origins
In the 1880s, the modern asbestos industry emerged without an understanding of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos was considered a safe commodity, preventing fires in wooden buildings. The dangers of dust were known, yet dust control in workplaces remained inadequate, resulting in fibroses like asbestosis.
Asbestosis, diagnosed in British factory workers in 1900, was dose-related, with severity linked to exposure levels. The first Australian diagnosis was in 1933, and its incidence continues to rise.
The Merewether Report in 1930 and the Dreessen standard in 1938 increased awareness but failed to control asbestos-related diseases. The turning point came in 1964, with Dr. Irving Selikoff’s research revealing asbestos hazards outside the industry.
In the 1930s, asbestos was identified as a carcinogen, causing lung cancer. Dr. Richard Doll’s 1955 report confirmed this link. In 1959, mesothelioma, a deadlier asbestos cancer, was discovered.
Public health authorities worldwide tightened regulations, reducing asbestos threshold limit values. In 2003, Australia banned asbestos importation. However, the global asbestos industry persists in less regulated jurisdictions, posing ongoing health hazards.
