Prior to asbestos regulation, asbestos seemed like the perfect material to be used in construction of all kinds. It was resistant to extreme heat and fire, chemical reactions, and electrical current.

It was naturally occurring, composed of six fibrous minerals – chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and amosite asbestos. Asbestos was used in all kinds of industry for a significant amount of time.

The commercial industries where occupational exposure has led to the development of asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other cancers are:

• Ships/Shipyards
• Warplanes/Aircraft/Air Force Bases
• Chemical Plants
• Power Plants
• Steel Mills/Aluminum Plants
• Oil Refineries
• Brewing Companies
• Home/School Construction Sites
• Automobile Manufacturing Sites

What Asbestos Properties Make It Dangerous?

When airborne asbestos fibers are inhaled by the human body, many of them remain behind because of their length. The glass-like fibers impale tissues like tiny swords and can fester for years in a somewhat inert, pre-disease state prior to diagnosis.

Because of this inactive state, the precipitant cause of an individual patient’s illness may be difficult to pinpoint. Of course, many people affected by mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung’s lining, may have stuck with the same occupation for a lifetime with several potential exposure points.

Asbestos Regulations

According to EPA.gov, at the end of March 1971, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first identified asbestos as a hazardous airborne pollutant. In early April two years later, EPA formally announced the Asbestos National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which has since been amended several times.

Under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA was required to create asbestos regulations and other regulations for public protection against substances known to be dangerous to human health.

Asbestos NESHAP resulted in very strict requirements that affect demolition and renovation of commercial, industrial, and residential properties.

NESHAP regulations include an pre-demolition or pre-renovation inspection of site affected by asbestos to gain a full understanding of extent of use, airway protection, sealing off of area where asbestos-containing material is installed, wetting of material, and appropriate disposal.

The height of asbestos use was between 1930 and 1970. Its use was, with rare exception, outlawed at the end of that time window.  Because asbestos regulations did little for those individuals already exposed, it is expected that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases will be diagnosed annually for years to come.

Mesothelioma Statistics

According to mesothelioma.com, it is expected that 10,000 people will die this year from diseases caused by asbestos exposure. The average life expectancy from the advent of a mesothelioma diagnosis is one year.

This is after a likely latency period of at least 20 years.  There have been at least 45,000 American deaths since the late 1970’s from mesothelioma and related diseases.

During the height of its use, several thousand retail items including small household appliances were manufactured using asbestos. Some of these items are still being used in homes worldwide today.

While up to 60 countries have partially outlawed asbestos in one form another, we have a long way to go to ensure this human health hazard is completely removed for future generations.