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Historical Impact of Asbestos on Health: From Ancient Warnings to Modern Bans

Asbestos has posed serious health risks for centuries, with early mentions by Strabo and Pliny recognizing lung problems among slaves weaving the material. Over time, doctors diagnosed lung issues linked to asbestos dust, culminating in the identification of 'asbestosis' in the 1920s and 'mesothelioma' in 1931. Despite early concerns and rising fatalities, industries continued using asbestos until the late 20th century, leading to regulations by the EPA and OSHA. Today, most countries, including Korea, enforce strict bans on asbestos usage to protect public health.

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Historical Impact of Asbestos on Health: From Ancient Warnings to Modern Bans

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  1. Environmental (Health) Hazards • 1C, Strabo & Pliny recognized lung problems among the slaves working on asbestos weaving • Pliny advised not to buy the slaves working on asbestos because of their early death • 1897, A doctor diagnosed lung malfunctioning due to aspiration of asbestos dust in Vienna • Early 1900s, speculated a relation between the pulmonary disease/fatality of miners and the asbestos aspiration • 1906, documented the evidence of fibrosis by post mortem exam • 1908, Metropolitan Insurance co. charged higher fees for asbestos workers • 1923, Dr. Cook studied the death of number of asbestos handling workers and first named the disease ‘asbestosis’

  2. 1931, the term “mesothelioma” first used • 1930s, Regulations included industrial hygiene standards, medical examinations, and inclusion of the asbestos industry into the British Workers' Compensation Act • 1970s, an USA court document indicate that asbestos co. hided the fatality of asbestos from the workers • 1970s, EPA & OSHA put regulations on asbestos use • Now, the asbestos is totally banned in most countries

  3. Korea’s regulation on asbestos • “ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE QUALITY CONTROL AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS ACT”  Asbestos use in any industrial product had been banned or at least limited since Sep. 2009 • “OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT”.  Manufacturing, importing, or usage of any product containing asbestos has been completely banned since Sep. 1, 2009.

  4. Asbestos can enter your body when you 1) breath (aspiration) 2) drink water and other fluid, and 3) eat foods. In ordinary people’s lung, a few 10,000 - 100,000 crystals/1g alveoli Air quality standards for asbestos In work place: < 0.1/cm3 In public place: < 0.01/cm3 (Korean standards)

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