Be Safety-Wise

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Portland cement is a product developed by Englishman Joseph Aspdin in the 1820s which became known as "Portland" because the concrete resembled a popular stone mined on the Isle of Portland. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) was organized in the U.S. in 1916 to address issues related to research, testing methods, standards, and technical information. Portland cement is caustic, so it can cause chemical burns, and the powder can cause irritation and with prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer.

The 1950s ushered in the age of the interstate, and PCA focused its efforts on educating concrete workers on safety issues relating to handling the cement and the public on the value of concrete highways, often using celebrity spokesman, such as Bob Hope in their advertisements.