What is Asbestos and Why is it Bad for Our Health?
By Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.; Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (ret.); Rear Admiral, USPHS (ret.), ADAO Science Advisory Board Co-Chair
Asbestos, in its various forms, is perhaps the most thoroughly researched and best characterized occupational and environmental health hazard. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps persist and continue to generate scientific interest and policy concerns. Commercially, asbestos is primarily used in products as a flame retardant. The fibers’ strength and flexibility make it an almost ideal mineral. Combined with a relatively inexpensive extraction and manufacturing process, asbestos was once hailed as the “miracle mineral.” Yet, for over a century, asbestos, in all its forms, has been known and documented to cause terminal disease. Though we know much about asbestos, public policy continues to allow the use and importation of asbestos. With the identification of viable substitutes, there is no reason not to ban asbestos and this remains the only way to prevent and end asbestos-related diseases.
Dr. Lemen will present at ADAO’s 6th International Asbestos Awareness Conference on April 10th.
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