Asbestos Ancient History: Interesting Background Published in Scientific American during 1997
The below asbestos historical discussion contained in the July 1997 edition of Scientific American in “Asbestos Revisited” by James Alleman and Brooks Mossman discusses the ancient mineral background in much more detail than typical similar discourses and is worthy of a blog.
That being said, the article contains one significant mistake: Pages 74-75 at the bottom center column of 74 claims that the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket boosters O-rings were “asbestos-impregnated” when, in reality, those O-rings were always solid rubber with the putty protecting them containing the asbestos. My thesis found at https://theasbestosblog.com/?p=9723 discusses this type of misconception and, using primary sources and interviews of the involved rocket scientists and chemist, debunks the myth of the O-rings containing asbestos.
Now, the interesting stuff. Let’s start at the beginning, per the article. The first mention of asbestos was in the Greek text On Stones, written by Aristotle student Theophrastus. The mineral was later named by Pliny the Elder in Natural History as “asbestinon” because it was unquenchable. By the way, Pliny the Elder died in 79 AD when overcome by fumes from the Mount Vesuvius eruption. His adopted nephew, Pliny the Younger, survived. https://www.worldhistory.org/Pliny_the_Younger/.
The remaining pages of this article are so stocked with facts that you should read them rather than rely on my summaries. I invite you to do so.
If you would like a better copy to read, let me know and I will lend you mine. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or comments in the comment section or by email at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com. Marty
3 Responses
As is so often the case, ‘it’s more complicated than we thought’.
Near us in Maine stands the abandon Portsmouth Naval Prison, deteriorating into ruins because asbestos was used in its construction. It is considered to dangerous to use and to costly to demolish. It remains a giant, ghostlike landmark at the east end of the Naval Shipyards greeting all who enter our harbor from the Atlantic.
Greg, we see that in many locations. I remember a building outside of Chicago with a negative value because of the asbestos remediation required before it could be again used as a manufacturing facility. One holy grail of asbestos would be to find a way to cost effectively and safely transform these types of locations.
Lead paint is also a problem with Portsmouth. The whole building is incredibly toxic. All that being said, the mention of the prison made me think of 1973’s The Last Detail starring Jack Nicholson.
Comments are closed.