Author: Martin Ditkof

Where History Means Knowledge. Be Informed.

Research Thesis Number 3: Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel

I am just about done with my third research thesis as required for the Master’s in History Program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. This thesis is tentatively titled: SOUTH AFRICAN BLUE ASBESTOS FIBERS AT THE ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK: MISTAKES OF OUR PAST AND LESSONS FOR OUR FUTURE I have a few…
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Challenger Tragedy and Asbestos: My April 20, 2024 Presentation at the P.A.T. Colorado Regional Conference

I presented yesterday at the P.A.T. (a history fraternity) Colorado Regional Conference held in Colorado Springs, using my Challenger thesis as the centerpiece of the discussion. My topic was researching whether the January 28, 1986 Challenger tragedy was caused by an asbestos substitute that failed. For those of you who have not yet read that…
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1950 Minerals Survey: Amosite Fibers take Flight

I love to learn. For this project, I was reviewing the 1950 Minerals Survey on asbestos created by the Department of the Interior for the National Security Resources Board. This publication is available on the Hathi Digital Trust and includes a substantial global discussion on asbestos, focusing on each country and many of the products.…
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1982: What the Environmental Protection Agency was saying about Asbestos-Cement Pipe.

Since I am doing a lot of work for on asbestos-cement pipe for my thesis, I thought that my readers might also find it interesting. From the EPA life cycle analysis in 1982, asbestos-cement pressure water pipe came to the United States market in 1931 and was phased out in the 1980s. Throughout most, if…
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Summary of Prior Blogs

I apologize for just posting a listing of my prior blogs once again, but I am knee deep into my thesis research on blue (crocidolite) asbestos being transported from South Africa, to Waukegan, Illinois, to the shores of Lake Michigan. I continue to learn, such as did you know that crocidolite asbestos fibers are 376…
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1956: Asbestos Textile Institute’s Air Hygiene Committee Meeting, Asbestosis-Cancer Discussions, and Garlock.

I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the document referenced below. The quality that you see is pretty much what I have. I always get confused as to when asbestos exposure was first attached to the causation of cancer. The below March 7, 1956 minutes of the Asbestos Textile Institute’s Air Hygiene Committee…
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1955: Caterpillar Industrial Hygienist On Top of Brake Band Line’s Need for Asbestos Dust Controls

By the way, I have all the respect in the world for Caterpillar. In my opinion they are an amazing company and the world is better off because of their products and services. Now, on to the below asbestos blog. During October, 1955, Industrial Hygienist William Retzer, employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company in Illinois, investigated…
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Listing of my First 160 Blog Posts

I am somewhat swamped with researching my third Masters in History Thesis. This one dealing with South African blue asbestos on the shores of Lake Michigan. As such, for those of you with an interest, below is a listing of my 160 first blogs including links should you want to dig into the detailed subject…
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1969 Asbestos-Cement Water Pipe: Dr. Selikoff States that there is no Evidence (at that time) Supporting its use as being a “recognized health hazard.” Johns-Manville Agrees. You decide the Science.

As many of you know, I am researching blue asbestos (crocidolite) issues, including its use in transite pressure piping manufactured at the Waukegan, IL facility. This 1969 document was part of a batch that I purchased this week from the Johns-Manville document repository. I suspect that few people have seen it during the last 30…
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Asbestos, Kids, and Building Sand Castles on an ACM infested Beach. Is that Really Okay?

I am waist deep into my thesis research, with a current focus on the Asbestos Containing Material on the Illinois State Beach Park. Just to set the baseline, as of April 1980, even the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States recognized that kids and asbestos do not mix. As stated by the EPA: “It…
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