From ancient times, asbestos was hailed for its strength and fire- and heat-resistant properties. These qualities were declared in the descriptive names given to asbestos through the ages, including "mountain leather" and "rock floss." In fact, the word asbestos itself comes from a Greek term meaning "indestructible" or "inextinguishable."

Archeologists and historians have found evidence of the use of asbestos dating back to 3000 BC, when Egyptians used it to wrap the bodies of the pharaohs. Potters in Scandinavia also used it to reinforce clay pots. In ancient Rome, asbestos was woven into table linens, which were cleansed by simply tossing them into the fire and then removing them to be used again. The Romans also used asbestos in making permanent wicks for oil lamps.

Industrial Uses of Asbestos

With the dawning of the industrial age, asbestos was increasingly used as insulation in the United States and Canada. The modern commercial asbestos industry began around 1880 with the discovery of large deposits of asbestos in Canada and Russia. By World War II, asbestos was used extensively in products such as nonflammable fabrics, packing materials, insulation and cement products.

Additional examples of the historical uses of asbestos include:

• Automotive parts--brake shoes and clutch facings
• Building materials--HVAC and electrical insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing materials, caulking, textured paints, wallboard
• General uses--Small kitchen appliances, paper products, chalkboards, textiles
• Industrial applications--fireproofing materials, boiler and pipe insulation, cooling towers, fire doors, adhesives

By the middle of the 20th century, asbestos was used in thousands of applications, including such unlikely products as cigarette filters. However, evidence of the deadly effects of asbestos exposure continued to mount. In the 1970s, use of the substance sharply declined as the U.S. government placed a moratorium on the production of most asbestos products.

Over the years, the following asbestos-containing products have been banned in the U.S.: flooring felt, floor tile, shingles, automotive brake parts, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper. New uses in asbestos products that have not historically contained asbestos are also forbidden. Today, those products that still contain asbestos must be labeled as such, according to federal law.

• Early history of asbestos
• Timeline of asbestos history