Full History Of Asbestos In Timeline From 1900

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The EPA is planning to reconsider the ban on cancer-causing asbestos, raising concerns. The Trump administration's attempts to bring back asbestos are under scrutiny, contrasting with Biden-era regulations, and sparking debates about public health and safety.

1900: Murray's study on asbestos health effects

In 1900, Murray conducted a study at Charing Cross Hospital, London, discovering asbestos traces in the lungs of a young man who died from pulmonary fibrosis after 14 years of work in an asbestos textile factory, marking early research into asbestos-related health issues.

1902: Asbestos listed as a harmful substance in Britain

In 1902, Adelaide Anderson, the Inspector of Factories in Britain, included asbestos in a list of harmful industrial substances.

1906: Investigations in France

In 1906, similar investigations to the one in Britain were conducted in France regarding the harmful effects of asbestos.

1906: First documented asbestos-related death

In 1906, the first documented death related to asbestos occurred.

1908: Commercially harvested asbestos mine in New Zealand

From 1908 to 1917, a low-grade Chrysotile was mined in Upper Takaka Valley, New Zealand but only 100 tons were washed and taken out by packhorse.

1908: Investigations in Italy

In 1908, similar investigations to those in Britain and France were conducted in Italy regarding the harmful effects of asbestos.

1910: Amosite Production in South Africa

In 1910, the production of amosite asbestos began in South Africa under the direction of British businessman Francis Oates, who was also a director of the De Beers company.

1917: Commercially harvested asbestos mine in New Zealand

From 1908 to 1917, a low-grade Chrysotile was mined in Upper Takaka Valley, New Zealand but only 100 tons were washed and taken out by packhorse.

1917: Nellie Kershaw employed at Turner Brothers Asbestos

In 1917, Nellie Kershaw began working at Turner Brothers Asbestos in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, spinning raw asbestos fibre into yarn.

1924: First Diagnosis of Asbestosis in the UK

In 1924, the first diagnosis of asbestosis was made in the UK. Nellie Kershaw, who spun raw asbestos fibre into yarn at Turner Brothers Asbestos since 1917, died. A formal inquest revealed that her death was caused by extensive fibrosis of the lungs due to asbestos exposure.

March 1930: Occurrence of Pulmonary Fibrosis & Other Pulmonary Affections in Asbestos Workers Report

On March 24, 1930, the report 'Occurrence of Pulmonary Fibrosis & Other Pulmonary Affections in Asbestos Workers', commissioned by Parliament, was presented. The report concluded that asbestosis was linked to prolonged inhalation of asbestos dust and included a health study which found that 66% of asbestos workers employed for 20 years or more suffered from asbestosis.

1931: First asbestos industry regulations

In 1931, the first asbestos industry regulations were published, leading to rules regulating ventilation and acknowledging asbestosis as a work-related disease; the term mesothelioma was also first used in medical literature that year.

March 1932: First Asbestos Industry Regulations Come into Effect

On March 1, 1932, the first asbestos industry regulations came into effect, which regulated ventilation and made asbestosis an excusable work-related disease.

1938: Fiberglass insulation was invented

In 1938, fiberglass insulation was invented and is now the most commonly used type of insulation material. The safety of this material has also been called into question due to similarities in material structure.

1940: Asbestos Mining renewed in New Zealand

In 1940, a new power scheme enabled work to renew and between 1940 and 1949, 40 tons a month was mined by the Hume Company.

1946: Widespread Use of Asbestos in Australia Begins

From 1946, asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries in Australia.

1949: Asbestos Mining continued in New Zealand

Between 1940 and 1949, 40 tons a month was mined by the Hume Company.

1952: Lorillard Uses Asbestos in Cigarette Filters

From 1952, cigarette manufacturer Lorillard used crocidolite asbestos in its "Micronite" filter.

1956: Lorillard Stops Using Asbestos in Cigarette Filters

Until 1956, cigarette manufacturer Lorillard used crocidolite asbestos in its "Micronite" filter.

1964: Asbestos mining ceases in New Zealand

In 1964, due to the short length of its fibre, the limited commercial viability forced asbestos mining to cease in New Zealand.

1967: Crocidolite banned

In 1967, the use of crocidolite (blue asbestos) was banned.

1970: Studies on talc products

From 1970 to 2000, multiple studies found neither samples of asbestos in talc products nor symptoms of asbestos exposure among workers dealing with talc.

1970: Transfer of asbestos-processing enterprises to Mexico

Since 1970, as a result of increased regulation of asbestos in Europe and in the United States, there was a massive transfer of asbestos-processing enterprises to Mexico.

1971: Tokyo orders companies to install ventilators

In 1971, Tokyo ordered companies handling asbestos to install ventilators and check health regularly.

1973: US Federal Law Requires Asbestos-Free Talc Products

By 1973, US federal law required all talc products to be asbestos-free due to talc sometimes being contaminated with asbestos because of the proximity of asbestos ore in underground talc deposits.

1973: Peak U.S. asbestos consumption

In 1973, the United States asbestos consumption hit a peak of 804,000 tons.

1974: Peak asbestos production in Japan

In 1974, the production of asbestos in Japan reached its peak.

1977: Peak world asbestos demand

Around 1977, world asbestos demand peaked, with 25 countries producing nearly 4.8 million metric tons annually.

1978: Zetex fiberglass fabric invented

In 1978, a highly texturized fiberglass fabric was invented by Bal Dixit, called Zetex. This fabric is lighter than asbestos but offers the same bulk, thickness, hand, feel, and abrasion resistance as asbestos. The fiberglass was texturized to eliminate some of the problems that arise with fiberglass, such as poor abrasion resistance and poor seam strength.

1980: Asbestos widely used in construction and other industries

Until 1980, asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries in Australia.

1983: Cessation of Asbestos Mining in Australia

In 1983, asbestos mining ceased in Australia following community and union campaigning.

1984: Raw amphibole asbestos banned in New Zealand

In 1984, the import of raw amphibole (blue and brown) asbestos into New Zealand was banned.

1985: Blue and brown asbestos banned in the United Kingdom

In 1985, blue and brown asbestos materials were banned outright in the United Kingdom.

1989: Amosite banned from building products

In 1989, amosite (brown asbestos) was finally banned from building products.

1989: EPA issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule

In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule.

1989: Phased Out Asbestos Use in Australia

In 1989, the use of asbestos was phased out in Australia.

1990: Decline in Asbestos Production in Japan

Around 1990, the production of asbestos in Japan began to drop dramatically.

1991: Asbestos Ban overturned

In 1991, asbestos industry supporters challenged and overturned the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule in a landmark lawsuit: Corrosion Proof Fittings v. Environmental Protection Agency. Although the case resulted in several small victories for asbestos regulation, the EPA ultimately did not put an end to asbestos use. Six categories of asbestos-containing products are however banned: corrugated paper, rollboard, commercial paper, specialty paper, flooring felt and any new uses of asbestos.

1991: EPA Asbestos Ban Prevented by 5th Circuit Court

In 1991, the 5th Circuit Court prevented the EPA from banning asbestos because EPA research showed the ban would cost between US$450 and 800 million while only saving around 200 lives in a 13-year timeframe. Also, the EPA did not provide adequate evidence for the safety of alternative products.

1995: Amphibole Asbestos Banned in Japan

By 1995, the use of all types of asbestos in the amphibole group was banned in Japan.

1995: Japan bans crocidolite and amosite

In 1995, the Japanese government banned crocidolite and amosite.

May 1997: Blue and brown asbestos banned in South Korea

In May 1997, the manufacture and use of crocidolite and amosite, commonly known as blue and brown asbestos, were fully banned in South Korea.

1999: Presence of asbestos in older buildings in the UK

As of 1999 in the UK, before white asbestos was banned, asbestos may still be present in some areas of older buildings.

1999: EPA cleanup efforts in Libby, Montana

In 1999, the EPA began cleanup efforts in Libby, Montana, designating the area as a Superfund cleanup site due to harmful asbestos release from the mine and soil disturbance.

1999: White asbestos outlawed in the United Kingdom

In 1999, the import, sale, and secondhand reuse of white asbestos was outlawed in the United Kingdom.

1999: Continued use of White Asbestos in Artex-type materials

Until 1999, some of the lesser-known suppliers of Artex-type materials were still adding white asbestos.

May 2000: Crayola tests for asbestos

In May 2000, Crayola stated that tests by Richard Lee, a materials analyst, found its crayons tested negative for asbestos, despite previous tests finding asbestos in Crayola, Prang and RoseArt crayons.

June 2000: Crayon makers agree to stop using talc

In June 2000, Binney & Smith, the maker of Crayola, and other crayon makers agreed to stop using talc in their products and changed their product formulations in the United States due to asbestos fears.

July 2000: Iran banned any use of asbestos

On 23 July 2000, the Supreme Council of Environmental Protection of Iran banned any use of asbestos. In a note it states that after 44 years if there is no replacement technically, economically or financially the law is appealable and will be subject to review.

2000: Mexican asbestos-containing exports went to the United States, Central American countries and Cuba

In 2000, 58% of Mexican asbestos-containing exports went to the United States, and 40% to Central American countries and Cuba.

2000: MSHA finds asbestos in talc samples

In 2000, the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reportedly found asbestos in four talc samples, which was later clarified as 'non-detect' indicating no asbestos fibers were actually found in the samples.

2001: Fiberglass removed from list of possible human carcinogens

In 2001, the International Agency for Research on Cancer removed fiberglass from its list of possible human carcinogens.

May 2002: New York City requests federal assistance for asbestos cleanup

In May 2002, after extensive cleanup and testing, New York City formally requested federal assistance to clean and test residences near the World Trade Center site for airborne asbestos.

2002: Chrysotile asbestos banned in New Zealand

In 2002, the import of chrysotile (white) asbestos was also banned in New Zealand.

December 2003: Asbestos Banned in Australia

In December 2003, asbestos was entirely banned in Australia.

December 2003: Amosite banned from gaskets and brake linings

Until December 2003, amosite remained in gaskets and brake linings, and cannot be imported, used, or recycled.

2005: Asbestos scandal in Japan

In mid-2005, revelations that hundreds of workers had died in Japan over the previous few decades from diseases related to asbestos sparked a scandal.

2006: Near-complete ban on asbestos implemented in Japan

In 2006, a near-complete ban with a few exceptions on asbestos was implemented in Japan.

2006: Previous Asbestos law updated

In 2006, the previous asbestos law was updated.

2006: Control of Asbestos Regulations in the UK

In 2006, the removal and disposal of asbestos and substances containing it were covered by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 in the UK.

January 2009: Full-fledged ban on all types of asbestos in South Korea

In January 2009, a full-fledged ban on all types of asbestos occurred when the government banned the manufacture, import, sale, storage, transport or use of asbestos or any substance containing more than 0.1% of asbestos in South Korea.

2009: Asbestos production in Canada

In 2009, about 9% of the world's asbestos production was mined in Canada.

October 2011: Supreme Council of Environmental Protection of Iran confirmed the new law

On 9 October 2011, the Supreme Council of Environmental Protection of Iran confirmed the new law and publicly announced it, updating and replacing the previous law.

November 2011: Iran's Environmental Protection Organization banned the use of asbestos completely.

On 22 November 2011, Iran's Environmental Protection Organization banned the use of asbestos completely. It also banned all imports and exports of asbestos.

2011: Asbestos harm aid act enacted in South Korea

In 2011, South Korea became the world's sixth country to enact an asbestos harm aid act, which entitles any Korean citizen to free lifetime medical care as well as monthly income from the government if they are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

2011: Asbestos in UK houses

In 2011, a report indicated that over 50% of houses in the United Kingdom still contained asbestos, despite the ban on asbestos products that was implemented some years prior.

2011: Epidemiology data was inconsistent

In 2011, a scientific review article claimed epidemiology data was inconsistent and concluded that the IARC's decision to downgrade the carcinogenic potential of fiberglass was valid, although this study was funded by a sponsored research contract from the North American Insulation Manufacturer's Association.

2011: Canadian asbestos mines halted operations

In late 2011, Canada's remaining two asbestos mines, both located in Quebec, halted operations.

March 2012: Full-fledged ban on asbestos in Japan

In March 2012, the remaining exceptions to the ban on asbestos in Japan were removed for a full-fledged ban.

September 2012: Quebec government halted asbestos mining

In September 2012, the Quebec government halted asbestos mining.

2012: Control of Asbestos Regulations in the United Kingdom

The 2012 Control of Asbestos Regulations in the United Kingdom, updating and replacing the previous 2006 law, state that owners of non-domestic buildings have a "duty to manage" asbestos on the premises. Employers must also provide annual asbestos training to their workers.

January 2014: Master plan for construction materials development

In January 2014, the master plan (for construction materials development to 2020 with orientation to 2030 submitted by the Ministry of Construction to the Government still suggests continued use of chrysotile for a long time.

2014: Asbestos banned in automotive brakes in Washington

In 2014, the state of Washington banned asbestos in automotive brakes.

2015: Complete ban on asbestos importation in New Zealand

In 2015, the government announced that the importation of asbestos would be completely banned with very limited exceptions that would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

2016: Amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act

In 2024, the EPA announced a new rule to ban all ongoing uses of asbestos by 2037. The rule was the first to be implemented under 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act.

2017: Asbestos mining worldwide

In 2017, 1.3 million tonnes of asbestos were mined worldwide. Russia was the largest producer with 53% of the world total, followed by Kazakhstan (16%), China (15%), and Brazil (11.5%). Asia consumes some 70% of the asbestos produced in the world with China, India and Indonesia the largest consumers.

July 2018: Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay record amount

On 12 July 2018, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $4.69 billion to 22 women who alleged the company's talc-based products contained asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

December 31, 2018: Illegal to import, manufacture, sell, trade, or use asbestos products

As of December 31, 2018, it is illegal to import, manufacture, sell, trade, or use products made from asbestos. There are exemptions for its use in the chloralkali industry, the military, nuclear facilities, and for magnesium extraction from asbestos mining residues.

2020: Goods containing asbestos imported into the United States

As of 2020, imported goods containing asbestos into the United States included gaskets for some utility vehicles, rubber sheets used in gasket manufacturing, brake blocks for the oil industry, and vehicle friction materials such as aftermarket automotive brakes and linings.

2020: Asbestos Production in Russia

In 2020, Russia was the top producer of asbestos, with an estimated production of 790,000 tonnes.

2020: Asbestos Contamination in Talc-Based Cosmetics

In 2020, laboratory tests of 21 talc-based cosmetics products found that 15 percent were contaminated with asbestos.

2020: Master plan for construction materials development

In January 2014, the master plan (for construction materials development to 2020 with orientation to 2030 submitted by the Ministry of Construction to the Government still suggests continued use of chrysotile for a long time.

2022: Chrysotile asbestos imported into the United States

In 2022, 224 metric tons of chrysotile asbestos were imported into the United States from Brazil and Russia, for use in diaphragms used to produce chlorine by the chloralkali process.

January 2024: Sydney asbestos mulch crisis

In January 2024, asbestos was found in garden mulch supplied to dozens of sites including parks, playgrounds and schools across Sydney, triggering the Sydney asbestos mulch crisis.

July 2024: WHO Heightens Health Warning About Talc Exposure

In July 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) heightened its health warning about talc exposure. In a study published in The Lancet, the WHO changed its classification of talc from "possibly carcinogenic" to "probably carcinogenic."

2024: EPA announced a new rule to ban all ongoing uses of asbestos

In 2024, the EPA announced a new rule to ban all ongoing uses of asbestos by 2037. The rule was the first to be implemented under 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act.

2024: United States remained one of the few developed countries to not completely ban asbestos

Prior to 2024, the United States remained one of the few developed countries to not completely ban asbestos. Some American workers at chlorine plants frequently came in contact with the substance, and OSHA exempted these plants from random inspections through the Voluntary Protection Program.

2030: Call to rid Australia of asbestos

In 2030, the head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called on the government to protect its citizens by ridding the country of asbestos.

2030: Master plan for construction materials development

In January 2014, the master plan (for construction materials development to 2020 with orientation to 2030 submitted by the Ministry of Construction to the Government still suggests continued use of chrysotile for a long time.

2037: EPA new rule to ban all ongoing uses of asbestos

In 2024, the EPA announced a new rule to ban all ongoing uses of asbestos by 2037. The rule was the first to be implemented under 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act.