Asbestos is the common name for a group of fibrous minerals. It is mined from the ground and found in Canada, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and the United States. Although it was used by the Greeks and Romans in ancient times, it wasnt until the late 1800s that it was commercially mined and used. Because of its strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, asbestos was used in as many as 3,000 products. These products were used in the construction, automotive, industrial, and maritime industries. Asbestos was also used in many consumer and household products as well.
As the United States became more industrialized, the use of asbestos containing products increased. In the Railroad industry, asbestos containing insulation was used on the steam locomotives, on the fireboxes, boilers, and steam pipes. It was also used to insulate railroad cars as well as in the Round House that serviced the trains.
Asbestos insulation was heavily used in the shipbuilding industry. Men and women shipyard workers insulated miles and miles of pipes on each ship as well as the boilers, generators, pumps, and other power generating equipment.
In the construction industry, fireproofing, ceiling and wall textures, plasters, joint compound, floor and ceiling tiles, and attic insulation contained asbestos and these products were used in commercial and residential buildings.
Workers in automotive manufacturing plants and garage mechanics have been exposed to brake and clutch linings in the manufacturing process or beveling or grinding during installation. Mechanics were also exposed to automotive gaskets containing asbestos as well.
Consumer appliance products such as hooded and hand-held dryers have also contained asbestos.
With over 3,000 products containing asbestos, groups of individuals in various work settings have been exposed to asbestos containing dust. Asbestos is odorless, tasteless, and colorless and most individuals did not realize they were exposed to excessive amounts of asbestos dust.