When we think of asbestos usage, we primarily think of its presence in building materials during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, this is not the only industry that has found numerous uses for this substance. Militaries throughout the years have found asbestos to be a useful material in a variety of different products.

First, it's important to understand why asbestos is so appealing, besides the fact that it causes diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos describes a family of six different types of silicate minerals. These six types are divided into two groups, serpentine and amphibole. The only member of the serpentine group is chrysotile. It is actually the most commonly used type of asbestos. The amphibole group contains amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. The second most popular type of asbestos, amosite, is present in this group.

The properties of both silicate minerals and asbestos in general are extremely beneficial in a number of different fields. First, asbestos breaks down into fibers that can easily be woven together or added to other substances. Second, this material is resistant to many things, including chemicals, heat, fire, electricity, and degradation. Therefore, it is a very good insulator against all of these things. Lastly, it has high tensile strength and flexibility.

People first recognized all of these useful properties of asbestos in ancient Greece. Its prevalence skyrocketed after the Industrial Revolution, when the military picked it up for widespread use. The U.S. Navy utilized asbestos-laden products in construction, maintenance, and repair materials. Other divisions of the armed forces soon picked up the mineral as well. This led to the presence of the mineral on everything from aircraft to tanks, regular vehicles and ships. In fact, the Army and Air Force recognized the insulating effects of asbestos and used it to protect electrical wires.

In the early to mid 20th century, asbestos was so widespread that it was even using in plumbing equipment. Thus, it's no surprise that the Navy used over 300 asbestos-containing items in their ships and shipyards alone. The Navy even ordered that asbestos insulation and other materials containing the substance had to be present on all ships constructed in 1939 and after.

However, it was that same year that the Navy Surgeon General recognized the harmful effects of asbestos, like asbestosis. It was still used, though, because of its numerous beneficial properties. It was not until the 1970s that the military forces began to phase out asbestos.

If you or someone you know has come into contact with asbestos, you have the chance of developing mesothelioma or other health problems. Mesothelioma can be a deadly disease that can rob you of your loved ones.

For more information regarding mesothelioma and the deadly effects of asbestos, check out the mesothelioma lawyers at Williams Kherkher today.