What you learned in school
Science and health classes taught that asbestos was an ideal building material due to its fire resistance, durability, and excellent insulation properties. Students learned about asbestos as a technological advancement that made buildings safer and more energy-efficient. Textbooks promoted asbestos products as superior alternatives to traditional materials, emphasizing their practical benefits for construction and manufacturing. The material was presented as a modern solution to fire safety and insulation challenges with no mention of health risks.
What we know now
Science and health classes taught that asbestos was an ideal building material due to its fire resistance, durability, and insulation properties. Students learned about asbestos as a technological advancement that made buildings safer. Asbestos causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious diseases when its fibers are inhaled. Millions of people developed asbestos-related illnesses from exposure in buildings, ships, and industrial settings. The health risks of asbestos were known to some manufacturers decades before public warnings were issued. Asbestos is now banned or heavily regulated in most countries.