Synopsis
This film, "Why Asbestos?" was presented by the Asbestos Information Committee, displays the benefits and uses of asbestos in everyday products, and argues that the product is needed to prevent fires. The film was part of a propaganda campaign created by the asbestos industry in the USA and UK to push back against growing public and regulatory sentiment against the use of the product. The AIC and several other organizations were created in early 1970, just as the USA's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began looking into regulating the industry. The goal of the AIC and similar groups was to counteract the growing public attention to and government regulation of asbestos as a serious threat to workers and consumers, to shape public opinion and regulatory policy. Eventually the campaign produced results, with OSHA stipulating that asbestos could continue to be used in a wide variety of consumer products without any warnings about the danger of cancer. This was despite a rich historical literature on asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma dating to early in the 20th century. This is a Unit 7 Film and it was made in association with The Film Producers Guild Ltd. This film opens with burning buildings and smoke billowing (0:23). Flame burning the side of a bag (1:06). Asbestos rock (1:33). Asbestos rock fibers (2:18). Asbestos rock fibers under a microscope (2:25). Single asbestos fiber (2:39). Scientific instrument/scale calculates PSI (pounds per square…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 17 minutes
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage
- Why Asbestos
- Asbestos Information Committee
- Occupational Safety
- Health Administration
- Safety Curtain
- Periscope Film