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When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

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Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#11

Post by skellera »

aresant wrote: post #6

Build on this even in 1942, just prior to the discovery of the link to Mesothelioma, we were busily figuring out every use case we could for asbestos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC8L8ooBSgQ&t=1m8s Despite the recognition of Mesothelioma in the early 1900s it took almost 40 years to associate the disease with Asbestos. My understanding is that this was due to the 10 - 40 year average post exposure timeline for Me…

At least we think about it. The miracle material, graphene, has properties that could potentially cause problems when breathed in [0]. So at least we know what to look for and can mitigate.

That said, who knows what other material might come about that causes problems 40 years later in a different way. We will learn when it comes but at least we’re starting to be more aware of potential problems.

[0] https://www.materialstoday.com/carbon/articles/s136970211270...

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#12

Post by bjoli »

PHGamer wrote: post #5

is asbestos really that bad? or is it the long term affects. if charlemagne just used it a show off thing in the diner would it have really mattered?

I lived in a house with an asbestos facade. As long as you don't need to change anything it is even better than bricks. Easier to clean. Fire safe. Doesn't age much in 50 years. They used it everywhere: facade, insulation, floor glue.

If it breaks however, the fibers go everywhere, especially to your lungs where they stay. People working with it died of all kinds of problems, but mostly cancer in the lungs iirc.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#13

Post by mullingitover »

aresant wrote: post #6

Build on this even in 1942, just prior to the discovery of the link to Mesothelioma, we were busily figuring out every use case we could for asbestos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC8L8ooBSgQ&t=1m8s Despite the recognition of Mesothelioma in the early 1900s it took almost 40 years to associate the disease with Asbestos. My understanding is that this was due to the 10 - 40 year average post exposure timeline for Me…

The crazy thing is that Pliny and Strabo were writing about the effects asbestos had on the slaves that processed it, ~2000 years ago.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#14

Post by sgt »

bjoli wrote: post #12
PHGamer wrote: post #5

is asbestos really that bad? or is it the long term affects. if charlemagne just used it a show off thing in the diner would it have really mattered?

I lived in a house with an asbestos facade. As long as you don't need to change anything it is even better than bricks. Easier to clean. Fire safe. Doesn't age much in 50 years. They used it everywhere: facade, insulation, floor glue. If it breaks however, the fibers go everywhere, especially to your lungs where they stay. People working with it died of all kinds of problems, but mostly cancer in the lungs iirc.

Also for asbestos roof - if it has been maintained and properly sealed once a decade or so, and is in good state, there is no reason to be worried. In that case it's actually much worse to remove it, and it is a great roofing material. However keep an eye on it if it shows signs of brittleness.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#15

Post by sandworm101 »

aresant wrote: post #6

Build on this even in 1942, just prior to the discovery of the link to Mesothelioma, we were busily figuring out every use case we could for asbestos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC8L8ooBSgQ&t=1m8s Despite the recognition of Mesothelioma in the early 1900s it took almost 40 years to associate the disease with Asbestos. My understanding is that this was due to the 10 - 40 year average post exposure timeline for Me…

>> If Asbestos was discovered today...

I don't think it would. Asbestos is a totally natural product. It would probably bypass many of our testing standards.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#17

Post by sandworm101 »

liability wrote: post #10
PHGamer wrote: post #5

is asbestos really that bad? or is it the long term affects. if charlemagne just used it a show off thing in the diner would it have really mattered?

I think it was particularly lethal to miners and factory workers. One of my great grandfathers died years after working in a factory that made mittens out of asbestos. Any process that disturbs the asbestos is going to be risky.

The Navy. It was used to insulate pipes and stop fires from spreading. Ships are basically one giant confined space full of pipes and fire barriers.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#19

Post by flancian »

mullingitover wrote: post #13
aresant wrote: post #6

Build on this even in 1942, just prior to the discovery of the link to Mesothelioma, we were busily figuring out every use case we could for asbestos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC8L8ooBSgQ&t=1m8s Despite the recognition of Mesothelioma in the early 1900s it took almost 40 years to associate the disease with Asbestos. My understanding is that this was due to the 10 - 40 year average post exposure timeline for Me…

The crazy thing is that Pliny and Strabo were writing about the effects asbestos had on the slaves that processed it, ~2000 years ago.

This sounded interesting so I looked it up; it seems it might be a popular misconception?

> The term asbestos is traceable to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder's manuscript Natural History and his use of the term asbestinon, meaning "unquenchable". While Pliny or his nephew Pliny the Younger is popularly credited with recognising the detrimental effects of asbestos on human beings, examination of the primary sources reveals no support for either claim.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos#Early_uses

I've found many references to Pliny and Strabo around the web, but as the Wikipedia fragment implies yet no actual quotation about its dangers. It seems like a very specific myth to just come up though; my interest remains. Do let me know if you know more about this.

Re: When Asbestos Was a Gift Fit for a King

#20

Post by liability »

sandworm101 wrote: post #17
liability wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it was particularly lethal to miners and factory workers. One of my great grandfathers died years after working in a factory that made mittens out of asbestos. Any process that disturbs the asbestos is going to be risky.

The Navy. It was used to insulate pipes and stop fires from spreading. Ships are basically one giant confined space full of pipes and fire barriers.

It's sadly ironic that a fireproofing material meant to save lives has killed so many (a great deal more than it plausibly ever saved.)
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