- There are six types of asbestos
- Chrysotile, Amosite, Tremolite, Actinolite, Crocidolite and Anthophyllite.
- The first case of asbestosis was reported in 1924
- It was reported in the 1924 British Medical Journal.
- Asbestos was first discovered in 1876
- Asbestos was originally found in Thetford Township in Quebec, Canada.
- The UK and Australia have the highest mesothelioma rates in the world
- In 2017, there were 2,523 deaths from mesothelioma in the UK. This is attributed to the heavy use of “brown asbestos” or Amosite.
- NOA means “Naturally Occurring Asbestos”
- NOA is only a problem if it is disturbed.
- Smoking can worsen the effects of asbestos on the lungs
- Smokers who are exposed to asbestos are 50 to 84 times more likely to develop asbestos-related cancer.
- 8% to 13% of asbestos workers end up with mesothelioma
- These include but are not limited to shipyard workers, construction workers and more.
- One time exposure to asbestos can cause diseases
- One time exposure is generally not a great risk unless in extreme circumstances.
- 95% of the asbestos used around the world is Chrysotile
- Chrysotile is also known as “white asbestos”.
- Asbestos can cause both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.
- Mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural disease, etc.
For more asbestos facts, please review our previous blog post here or visit the OSHA website.