Asbestos in the United States
Asbestos has been used worldwide for centuries, but has only been used extensively in the United States since the latter part of the 19th century. Its use in the United States blossomed with the Industrial Revolution, and received its first big boost with the railroad industry, where asbestos was incorporated into boilers, refrigeration units, and brake linings. World War II prompted another spike in asbestos use in shipyards as well as the textile industry, where it was used to make fireproof materials and rope. In the post-World War II period, asbestos enjoyed continued popularity in the construction boom when it was incorporated into cement products, floor tiles, insulation materials, and the like.
Awareness of its potential adverse health consequences grew as its use did. In the early 1900’s, physicians began to notice a higher than average rate of lung disease in individuals who had worked extensively with asbestos. By mid-century the medical literature was publishing increasing reports of lung disease and lung cancers in shipyard workers. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating the use of asbestos in the 1970’s. As evidence of asbestos’ health risks continued to build, the EPA’s regulations became more stringent, until in 1989 they banned all new uses of asbestos. However, uses established before 1989 were still permissible.
Asbestos occurs naturally and can be found along the eastern Appalachian Mountains, and one of the world’s largest asbestos deposits is located in California. Isolated clusters of asbestos can also be found in other parts of the United States. Although people who live nearby asbestos deposits are at higher risk of disease, the overall risk of illness due to proximity of deposits is quite low, especially if the deposits are undisturbed.
Turi McNamee, M.D.