Box of photomicrographs and laminated lung sections prepared by Dr J C Wagner, 1950-91, during his work on lung diseases in animals and humans, in Johannesburg, South Africa & Wales, United Kingdom.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Wagner (1923–2000) is best known for his research into the harmful effects asbestos has on human health. In 1960, he presented a significant research paper on ‘Diffuse pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western Cape province’. It was published in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine. In this paper, Wagner, and his colleagues C. A. Sleggs and P. Marchand, made a causal link between exposure to blue asbestos (crocidolite) and the lung cancer, mesothelioma. In 28 of the cases presented in the work, there was an association with the asbestos mountains in the Cape Province of South Africa. These lung sections were created during his researches and show the harmful effects of asbestos.

The paper caused a furore. It has impacted industry worldwide and the dangers of asbestos have been accepted. Control, containment and disposal of the widespread material is an ongoing public health concern.