Keeping the
Evil Secret
Under Wraps

by Frederick Schenk

Deep inside the files of asbestos manufacturers were documents showing that the materials danger was well known by the industry over sixty years ago. It took lawsuits in the 1970’s and 80’s to bring the documentation to light which had been hidden from consumers and workers since the first part of this century.
   Certain asbestos manufacturers had conducted animal tests and had kept hidden the results of these tests. As early as 1928, asbestos was suspected as a disease-causing agent. Research by Radiologists Arial George and Ralph Leonard clearly indicated the potential danger of working with asbestos, when the pair observed:
   "In 1928, we began the intensive study of those exposed to the asbestos hazard in one of the large industrial plants in Massachusetts, where brake lining was manufactured.... In twelve cases X-ray examination revealed changes in the lungs, upon which we base our diagnosis of asbestosis."

   However, they also wrongly concluded that asbestosis was not a progressive illness. The employers Group Engineering Manual told insurance representatives:
   "A potential asbestos hazard is to be looked for wherever asbestos dust is created ... (which) may cause disability and death, and any well-defined case of asbestosis is very likely to progress to a fatal condition."
   Asbestos was used in shipyard production during World War II, and later as building insulation.
   Owens-Corning Fiberglass knew about the hazards of asbestos as early as the 1940's and instead, encouraged the use of fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass, however, caused many difficulties for workers. The problem was that

See ASBESTOS page 2

by Michael Montgomery

Often, in the recent past, an asbestos worker would return home to his family after a day's work, and his clothing would be permeated by asbestos particles. Through simple activities like changing clothes or hugging hello, these fibers were easily spread to other family members. All of them were at risk for asbestos-caused diseases.
   This situation can be equated to illnesses that are caused by secondhand tobacco smoke. Non-users, in the case of asbestos, can end up dying from mesothelioma because of the asbestos particles inadvertently brought home by family members who worked with asbestos years ago. Similarly non-smokers can eventually end up with afflictions commonly caused by cigarette smoking.
   Mesothelioma and asbestosis are painful ways to die. After the diagnosis, death is frequently agonizing and expensive.
   It can take years after exposure for asbestos related illnesses to manifest themselves. There is no cure for asbestos relat-

See WORKPLACE page 2