Today we celebrate the legacy of Irving J. Selikoff, MD, who was born on this day in 1915.
His research and tireless advocacy saved millions of lives. His landmark contributions on asbestos-related illnesses often overshadow his earlier work on the treatment of tuberculosis.
But it was Dr. Selikoff’s research on asbestos disease and his expert testimony that shaped public policy and, for working men and women around the world, changed their future for the better. His work helped lay the foundation for the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, for workers’ compensation reforms, and for Environmental Protection Agency limitations on the widespread use of asbestos.
