Asbestos in the early twentieth century

To the common man and woman of the early twentieth century the notion that there would one day be an epidemic of asbestos-related diseases resulting in chronic illness, death and the payment of millions of pounds worth of asbestos compensation would have been met with general incredulity.

Yet this is precisely the reality we have faced for some time. We now know that asbestos is not a benign miracle substance whose use should be celebrated and encouraged.

Looking back on references to asbestos in the popular literature of the time is a very disquieting experience. Again and again, we find in newspapers and magazines particularly women's magazines articles and advertisements effusively extolling "the virtues of asbestos and its myriad household uses".

An article in the Manchester Guardian from November 21, 1927, is a typical example of how asbestos was perceived at the time. Entitled "Asbestos its household uses", it describes asbestos as being a "very real asset in the home".

It goes on to list just some of the ways it was contemporarily believed asbestos could be of benefit to the conscientious housekeeper. The article tells us, "Asbestos cord bound round the handles of kettles, saucepans, and irons, will prevent burnt fingers. Asbestos mats placed on the stove make a safe surface for casseroles and other fireproof ware during the cooking of the food in them."

When it is considered just how tragic the legacy of asbestos has been, the lightness with which the following comment is written makes for chilling reading, "When the weather is frosty the tragedy of frozen pipes can be avoided by binding the exposed parts with asbestos cord."

The fact that asbestos was advertised at the time as "the most versatile and useful substance on earth" says much about how little was known about its dangers. In fact, there was hardly a place in the homes of the early twentieth century likely to be untainted by asbestos. Here are just a few of its former household uses:

• Filtering for home brewing.
• Twine for fabrics.
• Ironing board covers and ironing board stands.
• Pull strings in ovens.
• Stove, oven and table mats.
• Fire safety blankets.
• Dust collecting.
• The preparation of putties and fillers.

While household asbestos use has undoubtedly caused a large number of asbestos related deaths, it is its industrial and commercial use that has been behind the largest number of deaths, usually in the form of cancers such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

It is also generally the case that workers in industries like shipbuilding, construction and carpentry are in much stronger positions to identify the source of their exposure to the substance's deadly particles than those who have developed illness as a result of exposure in domestic environments. While this might make claiming asbestos compensation easier for workers, it in no way lessens the tragedy of those people who have developed asbestos-related diseases as a result of exposure in household settings.

Making a no win, no fee asbestos compensation claim
If you or a member of your close family have developed or died from an asbestos-related illness, you may be able to claim asbestos compensation.

Even in cases where the liable employer has gone out of business it is still possible to claim from their insurers.

YouClaim's team of no win, no fee solicitors contains a number of leading asbestos litigation specialists, all of who are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Our services are available to the claimant at absolutely no cost. Win or lose, we guarantee that you will not have to pay anyone a single penny in order to fund your claim.

It may also reassure you to know that our 100% compensation means that we never take a cut from any of clients' damages awards.

If you would like to discover more about what we can do for you, fill out an online claim form, request a call back or discuss with a legal advisor on e-chat.

Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone now, simply call 0800 10 757 95 so that we can get your asbestos compensation claim underway today.