Now, everyone knows about the dangers of asbestos usage. However, we have been using asbestos for thousands of years and are only just now outlawing unsafe use of this material. Long ago, ancient people recognized the wondrous properties of asbestos that allowed it to become such a widespread product in our lives.

The first civilization that used asbestos that we know of were the inhabitants of Finland from 3,000 years ago. Communities have been found and excavated that consist of log cabins and dwellings that have asbestos mixed in as part of the chinking. Additionally, pottery shards contained the material as well.

Next, the Egyptians utilized asbestos to embalm pharaohs, and they wove it into their clothes to make them more durable. The Persians also used the substance for their dead, importing in from India to be used as a wrap for the deceased.

We have more extensive records from ancient Greece. Slaves wore clothing that was woven from asbestos, and Greek geographer Strabo noted that these people tended to develop lung diseases, which we now know is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Strabo also wrote about an asbestos quarry that was on the Greek island of Evvoia. Greeks also used this fiber for the wicks for the eternal flames of the vestal virgins. Lastly, they dressed their dead kings in the substance for cremation and even used it for napkins.

The Romans copied the Greeks in their use of asbestos in day-to-day cloths. It was woven into napkins, towels, tablecloths, nets, and women's head covers. The Romans also initiated the usage of asbestos in building materials. Like Strabo, Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noticed the prevalence of lung problems in those who had been exposed to high amounts of asbestos or who had been around it for long amounts of time. He noted that slaves from asbestos quarries tended to die young.

Although there is some mention of asbestos in stories about Charlemagne and Marco Polo, it was not made popular again until the Industrial Revolution that started in the 19th century. With the creation of machines that were hot and could easily catch on fire, asbestos became popular as an insulation. This popularity eventually lead to an estimated 30 million tons of asbestos used in the United States in the last 100 years alone.

Sadly, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that people began to take note of the truly dangerous effects of asbestos. Thus, it was outlawed for most uses. However, this was too late for many people because of the diseases caused by asbestos, including mesothelioma.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For more information regarding mesothelioma and illegal asbestos exposure, check out the mesothelioma law firm of Williams Kherkher today.