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Return to Asbestos BlogWhat is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that is known for being fireproof and resistant to many elements. The flexible fibers are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. Asbestos has historically been used in manufacturing across industries of all kinds, even the space race.
Amazingly useful, incredibly harmful
A well-loved manufacturing component in its day, this hazardous material was used in the U.S. until 1989 when the production of any substance containing the fiber was banned. Serious adverse health effects of asbestos exposure were brought to light in the early 1990s. Those subjected to prolonged exposure of asbestos are at risk for developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and chronic diseases. Currently, its use in the U.S. is heavily regulated and is prohibited as a building material. Even still, in as recently as 2015, NASA reported possible asbestos exposure at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
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In terms of death rate, Louisiana had 5.9 asbestos-related deaths per 100,000 population during the 1999-2017 period. (Higher than the national average death rate of 4.9.)
Early Use of Asbestos in Spacecrafts
Some of the earliest spacecraft in history were built with asbestos containing materials.
Asbestos is incredibly resistant to heat and flame; its melting point is hundreds of degrees hotter than a house fire, and when 20th century buildings went up in flames, asbestos products were often the only thing left.
Asbestos lining in rockets
That’s why asbestos was used to protect the steel case of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM). Because of its heat-resistant properties, asbestos was a popular insulation choice not only in buildings and homes, but in NASA spacecrafts before the late 1980s. Insulation linings of Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) were crafted with asbestos, as well as castable inhibitors. The fiber was also present in many NASA buildings (like the Jet Propulsion Lab).
When the dangers of asbestos became public, asbestos abatement became a priority at NASA.
A massive operation was undertaken in structures of all kinds to remove asbestos that people were likely to be exposed to once the dangers were made public. That effort included NASA buildings.
Eliminating asbestos containing materials was also motivated by liability issues during the handling and processing of materials that contained it, and the fact that there were recurring costs associated with OSHA regulation compliance. It became clear to NASA officials that an alternative was necessary.
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FREE SEARCH >The Sordid History of Asbestos Alternatives at NASA
The need to develop high quality replacement components for spacecraft that could sustain the friction, heat and pressure involved in space travel, especially during launch and re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere, become evident to NASA leaders. Involving asbestos in the space program was too much of a legal liability, a financial burden, and an imminent threat to employees at all levels.
NASA’s ongoing asbestos problem
NASA underwent a costly and detailed process to remove asbestos from its equipment and premises. But unfortunately, these important steps don’t mean that former employees needn’t worry about past exposure.
Sites such as NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio (now Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field), were asbestos-ladened and employees may face an increased risk for health issues at some point in their lifetimes. Consisting of 150 buildings and more than 500 research and test facilities, most of the structures at the site contained the hazard fiber and it can take between 20 and 50 years to develop symptoms of the diseases associated with this. The number of impacted employees remains unknown.
The Space Shuttle Challenger Tragedy
An alternative to asbestos that was used in NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger failed and may have contributed to the accidental explosion.
In 1983, NASA launched their second Space Shuttle orbiter, The Challenger, and it became known as somewhat of a powerhouse when it came to spacecraft.
The Challenger was used more than its predecessor, Columbia. It flew the first American woman to space, Sally Ride, and this was followed by the first African American to enter space, Guion Bluford.
The world watched in horror in 1986 as NASA’s Spaceshuttle Challenger encountered an unforeseen, heart-breaking, tragedy.
The Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated on launch – a consequence of faulty O-rings. Some speculate that the accident could have been prevented had the putty used on the O-rings been created with asbestos.
Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s new regulations, however, asbestos was not used in The Challenger, leaving NASA with the task of finding a more capable alternative (which ultimately failed).
Efficient insulation alternatives for space crafts are difficult to find.
There is no cost-effective device that is able to replicate the corrosive environment of a Solid Rocket Booster. NASA has worked in testing many asbestos-free options, including full scale process simulation. The organization’s asbestos free components so far include AF (asbestos free) internal insulation, AF nozzle hybrid flex boot, AF liner and castable inhibitor, and AF forward facing inhibitors. The components gave no indication of unacceptable performance; however, the AF internal insulation was heavily heat damaged during simulations.
Is NASA Asbestos Free Today?
NASA doesn’t use asbestos today and is regularly testing new materials to improve and replace items formerly containing asbestos. This process is still ongoing, and all buildings constructed before the mid-1980s are still likely to contain the fiber. Testing for asbestos in occupied buildings, especially in areas where it was formerly manufactured and handled, continues but there hasn’t yet been an all-inclusive remediation project.
AsbestosClaims.Law
AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.
If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.
If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, or you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being.
All without filing a lawsuit.
The largest database of asbestos information on the planet.
W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.
If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.
References:
Allred, Larry D., Eddy, Norman F. and McCool, A. Asbestos Free Insulation Development for the Space Shuttle Solid Propellant Rocket Motor (RSRM). Retrieved 21 July 2022 from https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20000091530
“NASA Lewis Research Center: Asbestos Exposure – Cleveland, Ohio.” The Lyon Firm, https://www.thelyonfirm.com/asbestos-exposure/nasa
