Government and Navy knowledge regarding health hazards of asbestos: a state of the science evaluation (1900 to 1970)

Our plain-English summary of Government and Navy knowledge regarding health hazards of asbestos: a state of the science evaluation (1900 to 1970), by K. Franke, D. Paustenbach (Inhalation Toxicology, 2011).

The study

• Authors: K. Franke, D. Paustenbach
• Journal: Inhalation Toxicology
• Published: 2011;23 Suppl 3:1-20
• Type of article: Review
• Cited by: 18 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

We evaluated dozens of published and unpublished documents describing the knowledge and awareness of both the scientific community and governmental entities, particularly the US Navy, regarding the health hazards associated with asbestos over time. We divided our analysis into specific blocks of time: 1900-1929, 1930-1959, and 1960-1970. By 1930, it was clear that high occupational exposure to asbestos caused a unique disease (asbestosis). Between about 1938 and 1965, a considerable amount of exposure and epidemiology data were collected by various scientific and government organizations. Between 1960 and 1970, mesothelioma was clearly linked to exposure to amphibole asbestos. Nonetheless, the Navy continued to require the use of asbestos-containing materials on ships, but also recommended that proper precautions be taken when handling asbestos. We concluded that the Navy was arguably one of the most knowledgeable organizations in the world regarding the health hazards of asbestos, and that it attempted to implement procedures that would minimize the opportunity for adverse effects on both servicemen and civilians. Finally, it is apparent from our research that through at least 1970, neither the military nor the private sector believed that the myriad of asbestos-containing products considered "encapsulated" (e.g. gaskets, brakes, Bakelite) posed a health hazard to those working with them.

In plain English

This article was a review of historical documents, not a new study of workers. The authors searched for documents from 1900 to 1970, focusing on information written by government institutions and the military. They cited more than 100 documents and reviewed at least 200 more. They reported finding no Navy or other US government documents on asbestos hazards from 1900 to 1929. By 1939, they wrote, the Navy was recommending exposure controls. Through the 1960s it continued to require asbestos-containing materials while recommending worker protection such as respirators and wetting down products. The authors found that precautions were recommended for friable products such as insulation but not for users of encapsulated materials such as gaskets and floor tiles. A 1968 Navy memorandum they quoted said asbestos packing and gaskets were not considered a significant health hazard. A 1969 Navy letter they quoted said handling precautions were not being enforced in all instances. The authors concluded that the Navy was at the forefront of asbestos research and was aware of the degree of exposure of its contractors working with insulation.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Review article: historical review of government, military and scientific documents on asbestos hazards, 1900 to 1970
• Who was studied: Documents rather than people: more than 100 documents cited, plus at least 200 more reviewed but not cited
• Exposure: Asbestos used on naval ships, mainly amosite and chrysotile in insulation and to a much lesser extent crocidolite; also asbestos in products the authors call encapsulated, such as gaskets and packing
• Main results:
  • For 1900 to 1929, the authors identified no Navy or other US government documents addressing the government's knowledge of asbestos dust hazards
  • By 1939, the Navy was recommending exposure controls during asbestos handling
  • In the 1960s the Navy continued to require asbestos-containing materials while recommending worker protection such as respirators and wetting down products
  • Precautionary recommendations were specific to friable products such as insulation and were not suggested for users of encapsulated materials such as gaskets, floor tiles, mastics and sealers
  • A 1968 Navy memorandum stated that asbestos-containing packing and gaskets were not considered a significant health hazard
  • A 1969 Navy letter on a survey of asbestos hazards stated that stringent handling precautions were not being enforced in all instances
  • The authors wrote that the Navy appears to have eliminated most asbestos uses by about 1985
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that the Navy was at the forefront of asbestos research and was aware of the degree of exposure of its contractors working with insulation

Topics

The National Library of Medicine indexes this study under subjects our site covers: Asbestosis, The Navy.

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Occupational Exposure, Epidemiology, Mesothelioma, Amphibole Asbestos, Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM), Gasket, Bakelite.

Related studies

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• Knowledge and attitude towards asbestos hazards among asbestos workers in India — R.R. Tiwari, A. Saha (2015)
• Historical state of knowledge of the health risks of asbestos posed to seamen on merchant ships — D.G. Dodge, B.D. Beck (2016)
• Potential health hazards associated with exposures to asbestos-containing drywall accessory products: A state-of-the-science assessment — A.D. Phelka, B.L. Finley (2012)
• EVOLUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS — H. Heimann, V.M. Trasko (1964)
• Changing attitudes and opinions regarding asbestos and cancer 1934-1965 — P.E. Enterline (1991)

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