ME350X_Assignment1_Materials

Materials Essay

The Useful Killer

Ethan Keyser

ME 350X History of Technology

18 September, 2014

H.R. Statement: Yes, I used the online resources cited in my footnotes, as well as library resources.

Throughout history man has often sought for a miracle material, an element that’s special combination of qualities made it superior to the competition.  Many times this quest is unsuccessful, because of an unforeseen side effect of the substance.  One material that has been used for thousands of years because of its usefulness, and also killed many because of its health risks, is asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.  It has a fibrous appearance once it is mined out of the ground, and is widely available around the world.  It is resistant to flame, a good insulator, and possesses a fair amount of tensile strength.  Its name is derived from a Greek word meaning “inextinguishable” or “indestructible.”  It is also known to have many health risks including Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, and Asbestosis.

Since 4000 BCE[1] mankind has been using asbestos. Asbestos was used first for its fire resistant properties.  Ancient people commonly used asbestos in candlewicks. In ancient Egypt it was often used to embalm the dead.  Because Asbestos is fire retardant, the dead were often wrapped in it to keep their ashes separate from the pyre on which

they were burned.  The Greeks and Romans made dining clothes and napkins with Asbestos to help prevent a fire starting in their candle lit houses.  This linen ware could also be cleaned by fire, making it especially sanitary.

Asbestos has also been heavily used by militaries from ancient times to the present.  During the crusades asbestos bags were used to hurl flaming pitch from trebuchets.  Additionally, it was used to pad many knights’ armor.  In more recent times, asbestos was used heavily on navy ships, and most other military vehicles. As a result of this use, many veterans from that time suffer from asbestos related diseases.  At the time however, the fire proof and insulating qualities of asbestos seem to outweigh any health risks it might pose.

Although asbestos awareness may seem to be a more modern idea, even the Greeks new it had bad side effects.  A “sickness of the lungs”[2] often occurred in the slaves who mined the asbestos.  Additionally, “Pliny the Elder (a roman philosopher) suggested the use of a respirator made of transparent bladder skin to protect workers from asbestos dust”[3].  Even though they did not fully understand why asbestos was dangerous at the time, the wealthy in ancient societies still made slaves do all the work with asbestos.  The documentation for the negative effects of asbestos continued throughout history; however, the great usefulness of the product made any opposition difficult to mount.

With the dawn of the industrial revolution, asbestos only became more widely used.  It was placed in all kinds of mechanical devices, building materials, electrical systems, and some clothing.  As there was an increase in demand and use of asbestos, mining increased,which lead to an increase in asbestos related diseases.  “By 1978 documented studies were beginning to demonstrate the extent to which asbestos workers had been affected. In one study asbestosis was detected in 10% of asbestos workers who had been employed in the industry for 10-19 years, in 73% of workers who had been employees 20-29 years and in 92% of workers who had been employed for more than 40 years”[4].   Continuing, in 1982 the Manville Corporation, the largest manufacture of asbestos products in the world was forced to file bankruptcy.  They did this after 52,000 lawsuits were raised against the company by the workers; citing that they were not made aware of the health risks by their employer[5].  This was one of many major lawsuits filed against the asbestos industry, that said, the debate still continues today.

In recent times there has been a wider realization of the adverse effects of asbestos, and although there are no laws in the united states preventing the manufacture and use of asbestos, many individuals and companies are making conscious effort to avoid it.  There are now other substances that can be used in place of asbestos, and do not have the same negative side effects.  Polyurethane foam, silica fabric, cellulose fiber and many others can be used without the same degree of health risks as when using asbestoses.

Like many other substances before it, asbestos has many useful qualities that make it attractive for use in a wide range of fields.  Nonetheless, the health risks that it possesses are a serious problem. Especially now that there are other less harmful alternatives, it is probably time for mankind to move past using this ancient mineral.