History of asbestos:
Asbestos was discovered thousands of years ago. The name asbestos means 'inextinguishable' and was coined by the Greeks, although the Finns were using asbestos fibres woven into lampwicks around 4000 thousand years ago.
Nevertheless, asbestos only became a commercial material towards the end of the 19th Century, however, its health effects were quickly realised. A lady health inspector noted that:
"The evil effects of asbestos dust have also attarcted my attention...in any quantity the effects have been found to be injurious"
One fibre can kill! - this famous quote is attributed to John Selwyn Gummer, the Conservative Minister, who stated in parliament that:
"It is not a substance for which one can state a low level below which there is no risk. We must therefore assume that a single fibre could do real damage which may not be seen for 20 years or more
It is estimated that approximately 10000 - 12000 people a year will die of asbestos related ilnesses by the year 2024