When you hear the word “asbestos,” most professionals today think of litigation, health risks, and building-remediation nightmares. Yet, the story of asbestos is far longer and more complex, it begins thousands of years ago and spans the rise of modern industry, global trade, and regulatory backlash. In this article, we’ll trace the history of asbestos use, how it became embedded in construction, manufacturing and infrastructure, and why it now stands as one of the most significant occupational‐health concerns for professional audiences. Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, building management or environmental regulation, understanding this journey offers insight into material choice, legacy risk and regulatory strategy.
Early Uses of Asbestos
Ancient and Pre‐Industrial Applications
- Evidence shows that asbestos was used more than 4,500 years ago, with fibres woven into fire-resistant textiles and pottery in ancient Greece and other cultures.
- In ancient Greece, the term “amiantus” (meaning “unpolluted” or “inextinguishable”) was used for this fibre, referencing its fire-resistant properties.
- Uses included lamp wicks, shrouds, pottery reinforcement and cloths that could survive fire.
- Though these uses were limited in scale, they point to early recognition of the remarkable properties of the material—strong, flexible, heat-resistant.
Rise of Industrial Use in the 19th & Early 20th Centuries
- As industrialisation took off, so did asbestos use. The modern industrial asbestos industry started in the early 1800s in Italy, which became a primary supplier of asbestos textiles.
- By the late 19th century, asbestos cement (used for piping and construction) was introduced, for example in Austria, Italy and the USA.
- For example, in the United States by 1910, around 43 % of global production was reportedly consumed in the U.S. market.
Why Asbestos Was So Attractive to Industry
Some of the factors that made asbestos popular:
- Fire- and heat-resistance.
- Flexibility and tensile strength (especially in the chrysotile variety).
- Low cost compared to other fireproof materials.
- Wide applicability: insulation, flooring, roofing, cement, brake linings, gaskets.
The Peak and Global Spread of Asbestos Use
Quantifying Production and Consumption
- According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), global cumulative asbestos production from 1900 through 2003 was approximately 181 million metric tonnes (Mt).
- Of that, the U.S. produced about 3.29 Mt and used about 31.5 Mt between 1900 and 2003.
- About half of that U.S. consumption occurred after 1960.
- Global consumption in 2003 was estimated at about 2.11 Mt, which was roughly 45% of what it was in 1980.
Diversification of Uses & Global Markets
- By the mid-to-late 20th century, asbestos was used in thousands of products: brake linings, insulation, roofing, cement sheets, shipbuilding, textiles.
- Consumption shifted geographically: while initially dominated by the U.S. and Western Europe, countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, China and India became major producers/consumers by the 1970s.
- Despite bans introduced in many countries, an estimated 2 million tons of asbestos were still being used annually (in the recent past) in parts of the developing world.
Health Risks and Regulatory Response
Recognising the Health Hazards
- The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that all forms of asbestos, including the ubiquitous chrysotile variant, are carcinogenic to humans.
- WHO estimates more than 200,000 deaths each year globally are caused by occupational asbestos exposure, representing more than 70 % of deaths from work-related cancers.
- Also, the global age-standardised incidence rate of asbestosis (a non-cancer fibrotic lung disease caused by asbestos) increased from 1990 to 2017, even though use declined in many countries.
Regulation, Bans and Legacy Risk
- Many countries have prohibited asbestos use; WHO states more than 50 Member States have banned all forms.
- In the U.S., the last asbestos mine closed in 2002 and consumption had dropped significantly.
- Despite bans, legacy asbestos in buildings and infrastructure remains a major risk: old insulation, cement boards and piping all still contain asbestos fibres that may become airborne during renovation/demolition.
Implications for Professionals
For building managers, architects, engineers, remediation professionals and regulators, the history signals:
- Legacy assets matter: Even if asbestos is no longer used in new construction, large stocks remain embedded in older buildings.
- Material choice is critical: what was once considered “state-of-the-art” (asbestos insulation) now represents risk and cost.
- Regulatory hunger: jurisdictions with past heavy use face ongoing liability, insurance, remediation and health-monitoring costs.
- There is a long latency: asbestos-related diseases can manifest decades after exposure, so exposure controls and removal strategies must be forward-looking.
Decline in Use and What Comes Next
Why Use Fell in Many Countries
- As awareness grew in the 1960s-70s of the health risks, regulatory pressure increased and many manufacturers stopped using asbestos.
- Economic shifts: cheaper and safer alternative materials became viable; legal liabilities increased.
- Data from USGS: world consumption in 2003 (~2.11 Mt) was about 45% of the 1980 level.
Why Some Use Continues
- In developing countries, asbestos remains attractive because of low cost, familiarity and lack of robust regulation.
- Some sectors still have challenges: remediation of legacy stocks is expensive; removal risk may sometimes exceed leaving materials in-place (if inert and undisturbed).
- Professionals need to stay aware: usage may be legal in parts of the world and imported materials or older structures may still contain asbestos.
Professional Strategies Going Forward
- Auditing and inventory: Professionals should inventory older buildings for asbestos-containing materials and assess management/removal strategy.
- Material substitution policy: When specifying future building materials, favour asbestos-free alternatives and understand substitutes’ lifecycle costs and health-profiles.
- Regulatory monitoring: Stay updated on national and international bans, disposal regulations, worker-protection obligations.
- Legacy risk planning: Develop long-term plans for removal or safe management of asbestos-containing materials—accounting for health, legal and financial exposure.
Conclusion
The history of asbestos use is a cautionary tale for any professional engaged in building materials, infrastructure, manufacturing or occupational health. From its ancient origins as a “miraculous” fire-resistant fibre, asbestos became embedded in some of the most common building products of the 20th century, only later to be revealed as a hazardous legacy. The statistics are stark: hundreds of thousands of deaths each year worldwide, vast quantities of legacy material still in place, even as use declines in many countries. For professionals today, the takeaway is clear: legacy matters, material choice matters, and planning for future risk matters. As we move into a world focused on health, sustainability and regulation, the lessons from asbestos deserve attention—not as a historical footnote, but as guidance for tomorrow’s safer practices.
FAQs
Q1: What exactly is asbestos, and how many types are there?
Asbestos is a group of six naturally-fibrous minerals (chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite asbestos and actinolite asbestos).
Q2: Why was asbestos used so widely in construction and industry?
Because it offered fire-resistance, heat-insulation, tensile strength, chemical resistance and low cost, appealing properties in the industrial age.
Q3: When did people first realise asbestos was dangerous?
Signs date back to the early 20th century. For example, by 1918, applications in friction materials were reported, and early reports of worker ill-health emerged.
Q4: Is asbestos still used today?
Yes, although usage has fallen in many countries, some developing nations continue to use asbestos products. An estimated 2 million t were being consumed per year in parts of the world in the recent past.
Q5: What should a professional organisation do about buildings that might contain asbestos?
Key steps include: auditing for asbestos-containing materials; assessing whether removal or management in-place is appropriate; ensuring worker safety protocols for maintenance/demolition; and factoring legacy risk into asset lifecycle planning.