Asbestos, A Magic Mineral

Asbestos was for many years called a Miracle Mineral. 

And yet, this mineral in the hands of an uncaring company could cause immense pain and suffering.  As stated by a court in California during 2012 about one company which sold asbestos containing products, “[The Company’s] conduct continued over many years, and evinced an indifference to or reckless disregard of the health and safety of [the Plaintiff] and those similarly situated.”  As to the effect on industrial workers, the court stated, “As industrial workers, [Plaintiff] and others who were exposed to asbestos fibers on the job were financially vulnerable in that they could not avoid the exposure without leaving their employment.”  Plaintiff was awarded $1.845 million in compensatory damages and $4.5 million in punitive damages.

Please join me on a journey in this Blog as we take a deeper look at the history of asbestos, situations in which it advanced society or saved lives, and the harm that it could and has caused in the United States, England, Australia, and other countries of the world when mined, used incorrectly, or when putting people at risk.  Let’s raise and then discuss questions and see where history takes us as to lessons learned and to be understood in the context of other substances used in the workplace which also can cause harm.

I hope to invite other Meso Warriors and their families to tell their stories on this Blog along with my adding historical information.  I also plan to invite companies that sold asbestos containing products to provide their perspective.  In summary, let’s pull back the shroud and see what happens.

My Story

So, let’s start with my family.  My Dad was born on July 4, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  At 6 ft, 2 inches, he was tall for his generation.  Being so big, he played first base in Minor League Baseball and during World War II for the Navy League based in the Philippine Islands.  It was in the Navy that my father’s exposure to asbestos was traced and, in particular, the ships that would transport the sailors overseas and into the war zones.

My father’s Mesothelioma presented itself while he was still a young 54 years old and it was very aggressive.  He only lived a few months prior to passing during October 1981, leaving my mom as a widow and 4 children in their 20s.  Mom was a widow for 39 years prior to her passing at age 92 in 2020.  Although she lived a full life as a nature photographer traveling the world, she never remarried or found another partner to share her life.

I have included a number of pictures of my father in that section of this website and I would encourage each of you to look at them.  They are the face of Meso Warriors and the harm that can be bestowed on entire families from an unidentified danger.  Many of you have similar stories and I would welcome the opportunity for you to share.

As this Blog proceeds, we will discuss the Navy’s use of asbestos during World War II as, in spite of people like my father, it also saved lives and, according to evidence from the time, was important to the U.S., England, and their allies in winning the war.  Is there a “right” answer?  I don’t know, but I believe that this is the type of discussion that is worthy of a journey through history.  If anyone wants publications by the U.S. and U.K. on the Germans’ use of asbestos and Germany’s attempt to develop alternatives during World War II, I have some very good investigations in the English language undertaken at the time for the British Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to email me at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com should you have any questions, would like some historical reading material, or are open to featuring your family story.