Welcome to part two of ‘Asbestos Exposed,’ where we uncover the layers of deception perpetrated by the asbestos industry. Specifically, we’re here to unravel more details about the industry’s suppression of crucial medical research by Saranac Laboratories; this is a telling testament of an era marked by profound deceit and disregard for human health – let’s dive in.

Backdrop of the Crisis

A quick revisit of the story backdrop; the asbestos industry, both thriving and unregulated, was under scrutiny as whispers of the devastating health impact of asbestos began to surface. This was a time when industries held monumental power, unbridled and unchecked, casting a significant shadow on the lives of their countless workers. The innocent workers, unknowing victims of a grand industrial deceit, continued on with their labor, unknowingly shrouded in a deadly cloak of asbestos, the silent killer lying at the heart of industrial progress.

Initial Revelations and The Industry’s Reaction

In the early 1930s, the asbestos industry was already privy to research indicating the harmful effects of asbestos. Despite this, they consciously chose to obscure these findings; this concealment was their desperate bid to maintain their thriving empire built upon a foundation of asbestos. The industry’s magnates convened in closed chambers, articulating a strategy of deception and misinformation to continue their unimpeded reign over an astonishingly profitable industry saturated with asbestos.

The Grand Deception Unfolds

In the aforementioned 1934 meeting – a critical juncture in the industry’s history – powerful executives dispatched Dr. Anthony Lanza, the industry’s medical accomplice. Dr. Lanza’s mission, meticulously crafted within the confidential confines of the meeting, was to identify a medical expert to fortify their fallacious claims about the harmlessness of asbestos – what a great bunch of guys.

Saranac Laboratories: The Unwitting Participant

Saranac Laboratories, a respected tuberculosis Research Center, was then unwittingly ensnared in this intricate web of deception. In 1936, commissioned to undertake a comprehensive study, Saranac embarked on a three-year extensive exploration into the health impacts of asbestos and silica; despite their reputable standing and scientific integrity, they were ensnared by a contract, laden with a plethora of carefully-constructed clauses, granting overarching control to the asbestos companies.

Dr. Leroy Gardner: A Beacon of Truth

Amidst this increasingly dense fog of deceit, Dr. Leroy Upson Gardner, a distinguished figure in medical research, set about to illuminate a path of truth. Studying the health effects of asbestos (and silica) essentially involved blasting caged mice and guinea pigs with steady streams of asbestos (or silicone), after which, the animals were dissected and examined for the presence of tumors and other health abnormalities; Gardner’s findings concluded that over 80% of mich exposed to asbestos went on to develop cancerous tumors – a staggeringly high number, and far more so than could be put down to random chance.

Gardner’s meticulous and unbiased research unearthed the devastating impact of asbestos, echoing the findings of his British counterparts; his revelations, however, were met with stifling resistance from the industry, eager to suppress this burgeoning truth to the benefit of their bulging pockets.

Asbestos and Cancer: The Damning Link

Ultimately, Dr. Gardner’s investigations unraveled the damning connection between asbestos exposure and cancer. Despite the asbestos industry’s unyielding efforts to obliterate any reference to cancer in the reports, Dr. Gardner’s relentless pursuit of truth shone a light on this crucial finding; his correspondences, a vivid documentation of his unwavering commitment to truth, emphasized the heightened significance of this discovery. The truth was out.

The Unforeseen Tragedy

In a tragic turn of events, Dr. Gardner suffered a fatal heart attack in the midst of this laboratory work, his sudden demise casting a cloud of gloom over the unfolding narrative. His untimely death left a vacuum, stalling the momentum of negotiations and discussions poised to unearth the concealed realities of asbestos.

Dr. Vorwald: The Successor Amidst Chaos

Amid this chaotic interlude, Dr. Vorwald – a younger physician who, incidentally, had been interested in studying occupational dust-related diseases – emerged as the successor, stepping into the formidable shoes of Dr. Gardner.

Despite his significant role, Dr. Vorwald abruptly departed Saranac Laboratories under curiously difficult circumstances, taking off with much of Gardner’s crucial research data.

The Sanitized Report: A Final Blow

The final published report was devoid of any mention of the hazardous effects of asbestos, marking the culmination of the asbestos industry’s grand deception. This sanitized report, a reflection of the industry’s manipulative dominance, stood as a testament to the era’s industrial treachery – executives had requested that all mention of cancer, growths and tumors be removed from the report before publishing, and their wish was granted.

The Continuation of Deceit

This elaborate tale of deceit, marked by suppressed research and muted voices, underscored the asbestos industry’s unyielding grip on their preferred, profitable narrative, a grip that continued to tighten as years rolled on. The industry’s executives, cloaked in their incessant corporate greed, continued their reign, unswayed and unbroken, as the whispers of truth were drowned in the echoes of industrial clamor.

As we unfurl the pages of this chapter in “Asbestos Exposed,” we stand at a crossroads, reflecting on the profound impact of this historical deception. Stay tuned for the next installment, as we delve deeper into these obscured paths of truth and justice.