Lunch Time Talk: Asbestos- From Magic Mineral to Deadly Dust

Surgeons Hall Museums presents a new series of bite sized lunch time talks for Spring 2024.

Join Surgeons Hall Museums Research Fellow Professor Ken Donaldson as he discusses Asbestos.

In the early 20^th century, asbestos was hailed as a ‘magic mineral’ and was eventually incorporated into thousands of products in homes, cars, ships etc; it was woven into the fabric of buildings and indeed, people’s lives. The fibrous nature of asbestos imbues it with its industrial usefulness, but unfortunately, during its use these tiny fibers can be released into the air and are breathed into the lungs where they cause diseases including cancer.  Although the potential dangers of asbestos were suspected early in the 20^th century and were confirmed by the 1960s, asbestos continued to be used and it was not banned until near the end of the 20^th century, by which time millions of people had been exposed to it and a global pandemic of disease had ensued.  This talk describes the history of asbestos production, rising awareness of its pathogenic effects, how they are produced and the legacies that asbestos has left us.  

The talk last approximately 30mins and there will be tea and coffee available for ticket holders.