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Books on Asbestos


Books on abestos removal, asbestos diseases and asbestos information

Magic Mineral to Killer Dust

Asbestos was once known as the 'magic mineral' because of its ability to withstand flames. Yet since the 1970s, it has become a notorious and feared 'killer dust' that is responsible for thousands of deaths and an epidemic that continues into the new millennium. This is the first comprehensive account of the UK asbestos health problem, which provides an in-depth look at the occupational health experience of one of the world's leading asbestos companies-British asbestos giant, Turner & Newall. Based on a vast company archive recently released in American litigation, 'Magic Mineral to Killer Dust' gives an unprecedented insight into all aspects of the asbestos hazard - dust control, workmen's compensation, government regulation, and the development of medical knowledge. In particular, it looks at the role of industrialists, doctors, factory inspectors, and trades unionists, highlighting the failures in regulation that allowed the commercial development of a material that was known to be lethal since at least 1900.

About the Author

Geoffrey Tweedale is Reader in the Centre for Business History, Manchester Metropolitan University. From 1983 he worked as a Researcher and Teacher in the History of Business, Technology, and Medicine, and more recently has held the position of Research Fellow at both Manchester and Sheffield universities.

Lethal Work: A History of the Asbestos Tragedy in Scotland

Asbestos destroys people's lives. Asbestos-related diseases now account for some 400 deaths every year in Scotland, with many more being severely disabled. This number is still increasing, due to the long latency period of this disease, and according to one cumulative estimate something in the region of 25,000 Scots will have died through exposure to asbestos by 2025. Asbestosis is now one of the most deadly occupational diseases, and by any standards this constitutes a major tragedy of epidemic proportions. This book is a history of the unfolding asbestos tragedy in Scotland and contains many interviews.

About the Author

Ronald Johnston is Research Assistant, Department of History, University of Strathclyde. Arthur McIvor is Senior Lecturer in Social History, and Co-director of the Scottish Oral History Centre, at the University of Strathclyde.

The Politics of Asbestos (Pathways to Sustainability Series)

'This is a fascinating, compelling and important book, which brings together three geographically diverse case studies within a powerful and nuanced analysis of asbestosis suffering and activism/mobilisation.' Dr Dinah Rajak, lecturer in Anthropology and Development Studies, University of Sussex
Asbestos use has been growing in many newly-industrialising and developing countries of the world, and asbestos-related diseases are also on the increase. This book is based on in-depth anthropological fieldwork in the UK, India and South Africa looking at people's own understandings of their illness, risks and uncertainty, compensation and regulation. It explores how these personal and community narratives contrast with formal medical and legal understandings, how this affects individual people's identities and how they mobilise in order to campaign for compensation, regulation and justice. Linda Waldman shows how the domination of medical and legal framings of risk and disease over those of workers, sufferers and activists can narrow the responses chosen by government. This provides important lessons for researchers, policy makers and regulators, demonstrating that opening up to alternative understandings can create more effective policy responses to move towards sustainability and social justice. Published in association with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Asbestos Disaster: Lessons from Japan's Experience

Japan’s asbestos disasters, encompassing both occupational disease and environmental pollution, have been caused principally by the asbestos textile, asbestos cement water pipe, and construction industries. This book is unique in its interdisciplinary approach to those disasters as it incorporates medical science, economics, political science, law, architecture, environmental engineering, sociology, and journalism. Written by authorities in their fields, the chapters reflect the integration of these disciplines in topics that include a historical review of asbestos issues in Japan, asbestos-related diseases, international aspects of the asbestos industry, public policy, divisions of responsibility, relief activities in emergencies, and countermeasures enacted by local governments. The lessons of asbestos problems and policies in Japan are particularly important for developing countries to prevent the proliferation of asbestos disasters. This volume serves as a textbook on asbestos issues for all countries, especially where there is widespread use of asbestos.

Asbestos Litigation: Costs and Compensation

This book analyzes the costs and compensation paid for asbestos personal-injury claims and discussess such issues as the current state of asbestos litigation in the United States, the costs of compensation, the effects if litigation in the businesses, and the evolving character of litigation.

Asbestos and Its Diseases

This is the definitive reference work on the health effects of asbestos. It covers geology and mineralogy, industrial and commercial hygiene, cellular and molecular interactions, epidemiology of human diseases, physiology, lung function testing, clinical features, risk assessment, regulatory approaches, and absestos litigation. Comprehensive and well-balanced, it is a valuable resource for the many health professionals and lawyers involved in this area.

Asbestos Exposure - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References

This is a 3-in-1 reference book. It gives a complete medical dictionary covering hundreds of terms and expressions relating to asbestos exposure. It also gives extensive lists of bibliographic citations. Finally, it provides information to users on how to update their knowledge using various Internet resources. The book is designed for physicians, medical students preparing for Board examinations, medical researchers, and patients who want to become familiar with research dedicated to asbestos exposure. If your time is valuable, this book is for you. First, you will not waste time searching the Internet while missing a lot of relevant information. Second, the book also saves you time indexing and defining entries. Finally, you will not waste time and money printing hundreds of web pages.

Asbestos Toxicity

It has now been amply demonstrated that the inhalation of mineral particles can lead to a number of toxicity manifestations ranging from simple inflammatory reactions, to fibrogenesis, or even, to carcinogenesis. Originally published as Drug and chemical toxicology, v.10, no.1 and 2, 1987. Derived from the Asbestos Toxicity Symposium held April 1985, Miami, Fla. Six contributions on: biological effects and the toxicity of naturally occurring and man-made silicates.

Environmental Public Health Policy for Asbestos in Schools: Unintended Consequences

On January 3, 1977, Howell Township, New Jersey closed its schools while scientists tested for dangerous levels of asbestos. After reports of unexplained ailments in some children, the parents of 4,500 elementary school children had threatened to boycott classes until the Board of Education removed asbestos-containing materials. Similar cases occurred across the country. In February, 1977, the New York Times reported that the child whose illness had been attributed to asbestos actually had mononucleosis. Was the reaction of parents and officials unwarranted? Did scientific evidence exist indicating that asbestos in schools caused children to become ill? Was all the relevant information - including the impact of their decisions on public policy in the future - considered? Environmental Public Health Policy for Asbestos in Schools addresses these questions by focusing on the development, institutionalization, and consequences of federal environmental policy for asbestos in schools. This unique and timely book explores the history of asbestos in schools and buildings and how this issue shaped the development of public health policy. Insight into past policy, including how, why, and who caused action to be taken, will enlighten and guide the scientific and regulatory communities in the future. The story of asbestos is a cautionary tale. Other toxic agents, such as lead, nitrogen dioxide and radon, could follow the same model as asbestos, raising similar questions. Written in a straightforward style, Environmental Public Health Policy for Asbestos in Schools explains technical concepts in language easily understood by non-experts. Understanding the factors and judgments involved in this issue gives insight into how the government - and society - perceives, assesses, and develops public health policy.

Forecasting Product Liability Claims: Epidemiology and Modeling in the Manville Asbestos Case

This selection of papers encompasses recent methodological advances in several important areas, such as multivariate failure time data and interval censored data, as well as innovative applications of the existing theory and methods. Using a rigorous account of statistical forecasting efforts that led to the successful resolution of the John-Manville asbestos litigation, the models in this volume can be adapted to forecast industry-wide asbestos liability. More generally, because the models are not overly dependent on the U.S. legal system and the role of asbestos, this volume will be of interest in other product liability cases, as well as similar forecasting situations for a range of insurable or compensational events. Throughout the text, the emphasis is on the iterative nature of model building and the uncertainty generated by lack of complete knowledge of the injury process. This uncertainty is balanced against the court's need for a definitive settlement, and how these opposing principles can be reconciled. A valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in the field of survival analysis.

 




         

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