About Asbestos

Mesothelioma
Info

Mesothelioma
Prognosis

Mesothelioma
Symptoms

Mesothelioma Settlement

Mesothelioma
Treatments

Asbestos has been used as a thermal insulation material for decades and today it is present in many common household items and old buildings. The historical background of asbestos dates back to at least 2500 B.C., when it was used as pottery making. One of the earliest accounts of asbestos describes its use as dress-cloths for kings at their funerals, containers to hold the creamated ashes of the dead, and even floor mats by both the Egyptians and Chinese.

After the discovery of substantial deposits of the mineral in the Ural Mountains around 1720, the very first asbestos-factory was established. This factory made asbestos products such as, handbags, socks, gloves, and textiles. However this factory was only in business for 50 years, eventually shutting down due to lack of demand.

This fiberous material found widespread use in fireproof clothing, insulation and other industrial applications. However, even though the pulmonary disease resulting from asbestos inhalation was made aware to the public at the turn of the twentieth century this disease was not taken seriously until the 1920’s when major efforts were mounted to control it.