The History of Asbestos Use in Construction

Did you know that asbestos has been around for more than 4,500 years and was eventually used in the construction industry?

That’s right, more than 4,500 years ago, asbestos was discovered by Finnish pottery makers. It wasn’t long after this that the Egyptians, ancient Greeks and Romans started using it too. But why would people use such toxic material in the first place?

It’s simple. Asbestos was used across the world thanks to its durability, heat resistance and ability to act as insulation.

No one knew the damage asbestos could have caused back then. So, when did asbestos start being used in construction? Read our blog to find out!

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in rock and soil and was introduced into the construction industry in the late 19th century.

It’s a material made up of fibres that are fire-resistant, heat-resistant and offer insulating properties. It is because of this that asbestos was eventually used in construction, manufacturing and many other industries.

However, it was eventually discovered that asbestos was a serious health hazard, which led to this material being banned in most countries, including the UK. Asbestos was commonly used in:

• Roofing
• Insulation
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Talcum powder (talc)
• Fake snow (which was used in The Wizard of Oz!)
• Textiles
   

Asbestos-containing materials were generally used in houses and even workplaces! However, asbestos only becomes a hazard when the dust is disturbed through drilling or removing materials, which releases microscopic fibres into the air.

There are 6 different crystals that fall under this category:

• Chrysotile (white)
• Crocidolite (blue)
• Amosite (brown)
• Anthophyllite
• Tremolite
• Actinolite

Asbestos Timeline

Evidence suggests that the first use of asbestos dates all the way back to 4000 BC! Keep reading to find out more about the timeline of asbestos.

1870s – Commercial use of Asbestos Begins

Due to the development of steam-powered machinery and the increased demand for fireproofing and insulation, asbestos started to be used on ships, power-generating plants and steam engines.

The dangers of asbestos were not clear at this time and the first asbestos-related death was in 1906.

1906 – The First Documented Death Related to Asbestos

In the year 1906, Dr Montague Murray reported the first asbestos-related death of a 33-year-old man who had been working in an asbestos textile factory for 14 years. He died from fibrosis of the lungs, which was recorded by Murray at London’s Charring Cross Hospital.

The man who died told Dr Murray that he was the only survivor out of another 10 people who had died and worked in the same workshop.

1924 – The First Asbestos-related Death Was Published

Nellie Kershaw worked at the Turner Brothers Asbestos Company, which was the first business to weave asbestos into yarn using industrial methods.

This sadly led to the death of Nellie Kershaw as she inhaled large quantities of the asbestos dust.

1930 – The Merewether and Price Report

During the 1930s, Dr. Merewether and Mr. Price presented the ‘Occurrence of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Other Pulmonary Affections in Asbestos Workers’ to parliament in March 1930.

The study involved over 300 workers and found that around one-third of the workers suffered from lung disease. This report led to the first UK regulations regarding asbestos dust levels in workplaces, which came into effect on 1st March 1932.

1950s- 1960s- Vinyl Asbestos Tiles Became Very Popular

During the 1950s and 1960s, vinyl-asbestos tiles became used across the world (especially in the construction industry) due to their durability, affordability, and ease of installation.

They remained popular until the 1980s when growing health concerns caused them to decrease in popularity.

1960- Link Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma Confirmed

A pathologist from South Africa, Chris Wagner, published a study that explained the clear links between asbestos and mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lungs and abdomen).

1985- The First Asbestos Ban Introduced in the UK

During this time, the UK government banned blue (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite) as these were thought to be the most hazardous at the time.

1999- All Types of Asbestos Banned in the UK

So, when did asbestos stop being used in construction? Although asbestos was banned in 1999, asbestos use in construction started to be phased out in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1999, all three types of asbestos (white, blue and brown) were banned in the UK. This was due to the overwhelming amount of evidence that proved all types of asbestos to cause serious health risks, cancer and a number of asbestos-related deaths.

Key Facts About Asbestos in Construction

Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry due to its durability and resistant properties
Asbestos-containing materials are still present in many older buildings
Asbestos is the biggest occupational disease risk to construction workers
Construction workers are at a higher risk due to disturbing the material on old buildings
 

Not Sure How You Can Recognise Asbestos? Beaconrisk Can Help

First and foremost, if you think you’re being exposed to asbestos, make sure you contact your GP as soon as possible!

Here at Beaconrisk, we offer a wide range of health and safety e-learning courses, including an asbestos awareness course.

This course takes 65 minutes to complete and covers the following:

• Risks associated with asbestos
• How you can recognise asbestos
• Where it's used
• How to minimise the risks
• Legislation relating to asbestos
  Who would benefit from this course? The answer is anyone! Whether you work in the construction industry, run a business and want to ensure the safety and well-being of your employees, or are simply curious about asbestos, this course is for you!

To find out more about our asbestos awareness course or to speak to a member of our team, contact us today at 0151 647 8658. We are more than happy to help!