According to Plan: The Story of Modern Sidewalls

[glenn kangiser]

Industry promo for Asbestos Siding.  1952.

http://www.archive.org/details/Accordin1952

[MountainDon]

Interesting bit of history.

Guy I knew back home had a company he inherited from his father. Western Asbestos was the name. His father made a lot of money in the 40's and 50's installing asbestos building products, mostly industrial applications. The son made a lot of money removing a lot of that same asbestos his father installed.

[glenn kangiser]

My understanding is that there is no where near the problem it is made out to be if it is left in place  -- hard to get a cemented shingle up your nose. :-/

Out here in the wild west we have off road vehicle recreation areas right in the areas where this stuff is mined and I have yet to hear of a dead guy on a motorcycle.

I think the worst problems would have been in the product manufacturing - mining etc.