Magic Mineral to Killer Dust

Book excerpt: Asbestos was once known as the 'magic mineral' because of its ability to withstand flames. Yet since the 1970s, it has become a notorious and feared 'killer dust' that is responsible for thousands of deaths and an epidemic that continues into the new millennium. This is the first comprehensive account of the UK asbestos health problem, which provides an in-depth look at the occupational health experience of one of the world's leading asbestos companies-British asbestos giant, Turner & Newall. Based on a vast company archive recently released in American litigation, 'Magic Mineral to Killer Dust' gives an unprecedented insight into all aspects of the asbestos hazard - dust control, workmen's compensation, government regulation, and the development of medical knowledge. In particular, it looks at the role of industrialists, doctors, factory inspectors, and trades unionists, highlighting the failures in regulation that allowed the commercial development of a material that was known to be lethal since at least 1900.