Asbestos Fibers | Asbestos in the Home


Potential Sources of Asbestos
  • Asbestos exists from prehistoric times, back to some 750,000 years ago
  • The asbestos mineral came into popularity during the Industrial Age due to its fire retardant properties.
  • It is mostly known as a carcinogen that causes mesothelioma.
  • chrysotile asbestos was mined during 1682 to 1725.
  • Paper made from asbestos (asbestos paper) was discovered in Italy in the early 1700s.
  • By 1800s, the Italian government was utilizing asbestos fibers in its bank notes.
  • History of Asbestos
  • The early 1870s also saw the founding of large asbestos industries in Scotland, Germany and England.
  • In 1876, Canadians established the world's first commercial asbestos mines.
  • By the early 1900s, asbestos production had grown worldwide to more than 30,000 tons annually.
  • In 1906, the first documented death of an asbestos worker from pulmonary failure (mesothelioma lung cancer) was recorded by Dr. Montague Murray at London’s Charring Cross Hospital.


  • The early 1870s also saw the founding of large asbestos industries in Scotland, Germany and England.
  • In 1876, Canadians established the world's first commercial asbestos mines.
  • By the early 1900s, asbestos production had grown worldwide to more than 30,000 tons annually.
History of Asbestos
  • In 1906, the first documented death of an asbestos worker from pulmonary failure (mesothelioma lung cancer) was recorded by Dr. Montague Murray at London’s Charring Cross Hospital.



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