Armley to 9/11: the Worst Asbestos Disasters of All Time

While most asbestos nowadays is out of sight and well-maintained, this hasn’t always been the case. Exposure to asbestos can be fatal and even today, people are dying of asbestos-related diseases and illnesses. Read on to learn more about the worst asbestos-related disasters of all time.



Wittenoom, Australia

Wittenoom, situated in north-west Australia, used to be one of the world’s biggest producers of blue asbestos (crocidolite) and is now known as the largest contaminated site in the southern hemisphere. Asbestos mining in Wittenoom took place for 27 years, before unprofitability and growing safety concerns closed all operations in 1966. Although the dangers of blue asbestos were widely known by the time the mine closed, it would be decades before all forms of asbestos were banned from use. Even as the toll on locals’ health became more and more apparent, some people still were determined to stay in the town against government warnings. Overall, 2000 of the town’s 13,000 inhabitants over the years have gone on to die from an asbestos-related disease – perhaps the highest ever toll from a single disaster.

Armley, Leeds, United Kingdom

Armley, a typical English suburb in Leeds, is known for a shocking statistic - it had the highest incidence of mesothelioma anywhere in the country. An asbestos-processing factory operated by the Turner & Newall Group sat on the outskirts of the suburb, and employed some 250 people at its peak, many from the surrounding area. The factory at Armley closed in 1959, but while in operation it was responsible for contaminating an area containing around 1,000 homes with asbestos dust - the substance covered nearby streets and rooftops of surrounding houses. Unfortunately at least 300 former employees were believed to have died from asbestos-related illnesses, and a number of other deaths were traced back to the factory.

World Trade Centre, New York City

The collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001 released a plume containing 400 tons of pulverised asbestos and other hazardous materials across lower Manhattan. An estimated 410,000 to 525,000 people, including more than 90,000 workers, were exposed to the toxic dust during the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts that followed the attack. Many firefighters and emergency personnel were sadly affected by this. The inhalation of dust from the World Trade Center attacks has been conclusively linked to a higher than normal incidence of several rare cancers, including several blood cell cancers, thyroid cancer and male breast cancer. Unsurprisingly, it has also led to numerous lung problems among first responders, with a 2010 study of 5000 workers finding that all of them had diminished lung function, with a 10% loss of function on average.

If you’re looking for help with asbestos removal in the Edinburgh area, look no further than Gowrie Contracts. We’ll carefully assess the area and find the most efficient solution for your home or commercial property in Edinburgh. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how our asbestos services can help you.