It was only decades ago that firefighters were raving about their new full-body asbestos suits that protected them from fire. It was only decades ago that homeowners were thrilled by their new asbestos-laden cladding. It was only decades ago that fake snow made children smile, even though it was asbestos. And it was present in toys, clothing, makeup, materials, gardening supplies, and building materials. No one was any the wiser.

It was also just decades ago that we learned that it was killing us. All those years of mining, manufacturing, and exposure led to the annual death count we see today, which sits at around 90,000. Even though we no longer use it in the same capacity, it’s still the number one cause of work-related deaths globally and puts over 125 million workers at risk every day.

It’s clear that asbestos has changed everything, and the result of that is the requirement for asbestos removal companies in New Zealand to take care of affected homes and businesses. But while it affects people on a personal level, it has also affected entire towns, cities, and industries.

Asbestos, Quebec

You know the mineral, asbestos, is big business when an entire town goes by its name. That was the reality with Asbestos, Quebec, in Canada. In the 1850s, the most commonly used form of asbestos, known as chrysotile, was discovered in abundance in Thetford, Quebec.

By the end of the 19th century, it was big business, and the Jeffrey Mine had opened nearby to accommodate the demand for it. The town that formed around it became known as Asbestos.

While dozens of mines had opened up across the United States by this time, it was the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos that met about half the world’s demand.

Halfway through the 20th century, sickness was starting to rear its ugly head. Cancer and other illnesses, directly linked to asbestos, were being reported, and environmental agencies were beginning to put health and safety measures in place.

But, still, progress was slow, and it wasn’t until 2012 that Canadian asbestos mines closed. The town of Asbestos still exists and even has an Asbestos Mineral Museum, but its days of mining are over.

Asbest, Russia

Unlike Asbestos in Canada, Asbest in Russia is struggling to say goodbye to a hazardous mineral that accounts for tens of thousands of deaths every year. Located on the slopes of the Ural Mountains and home to 70,000 people, Asbest continues to operate as an asbestos mining town and is showing no signs of conforming to standards followed by most western countries.

When the wind picks up in Asbest, residents experience clouds of asbestos dust that settle in and around their homes. It collects on floors, laundry hanging out on the washing lines, and even fruit and vegetables growing in the garden.

According to one resident, every “normal” person is trying to get out, but those who were born there often have nowhere else to go. Of several workers employed at the mine or factory who were interviewed, all of them had a persistent cough. Some also had skin ailments and inflammation.

But that doesn’t stop people from being passionate about Asbest and its industry. The municipal anthem is called Asbestos, my city, and my fate, while a flag with white lines that represents asbestos fibres through a ring of flames was adopted in 2002.

Wittenoom, Australia

Residents in Asbest, Russia, won’t leave the town they know and love, nor are mines being shut down even knowing just how deadly they are. Meanwhile, in Australia, the Western Australian government is paying people to leave Wittenoom, thought to be the most contaminated site and former asbestos mining town in the southern hemisphere.

An asbestos crushing mill was built in Wittenoom, in the Pilbara, in 1939, and operations ceased in 1966. Since then, around 2,000 people – both residents and workers – have died in Wittenoom from asbestos-related cancers and conditions.

The township was de-gazetted in 2007, and 17 properties were purchased for $1 each, as was reflective of their value. By 2019, the government had announced that landowners who refused to move from the site would have their properties acquired by the WA government. Otherwise, they could receive generous compensation to move on voluntarily.

Lands minister Ben Wyatt told ABC Radio that the proposal was to offer $325,000 for the primary property, then $65,000 for every property after that. Compensation could also be offered for land owned by residents, and cover for moving fees and costs up to $50,000.

While there have been requests made by owners to undertake a cleanup of the three million tonnes of asbestos at Wittenoom Gorge, that’s not likely to happen. Wyatt said that even if billions of dollars were committed to cleanup efforts, it would be unlikely that the town would ever be safe for human habitation.

Asbestos really has changed everything

We have come a long way from using asbestos as a magic product for everything. Entire towns have been abandoned due to health risks, and their residents have fought and lost against subsequent health conditions. While some towns and cities still battle to retain their industry, it’s clear to see that the majority of people now understand just how dangerous and deadly this natural mineral can be.