Asbestos
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the generic name for any variety of silicate materials that is fibrous in structure and more resistant to acid and heat than many other materials. Asbestos has two forms, serpentine and amphibole, and is made of impure magnesium silicate. Types of asbestos include chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite asbestos, tremolite, and actinolite. Chrysotile asbestos is serpentine and amosite and crocidolite are amphibole. Chrysotile has historically been the chief commercial asbestos fiber type. Amosite is often used in insulating materials and crocidolite is normally used in the manufacture of asbestos-cement products. Asbestos is mined from the ground where it is typically found in veins and large deposits. Canada, Russia, and South Africa are the world’s largest producers of asbestos, although historically there were asbestos mines in the United States, including California and Montana. Once asbestos ore has been removed from the ground, it is milled and processed into a usable product demonstrating high tensile strength, chemical and thermal stability, high flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and large surface area.
Asbestos Exposure:
Asbestos exposure has affected millions of workers both in the United States and abroad. Its use grew significantly during World War II when workers in industries like shipyards, asbestos mining, manufacturing, and construction were heavily exposed. People who worked as electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, automotive mechanics, and in other trades were also at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. All of these exposure can cause serious health issues.
Products Containing Asbestos:
Asbestos was used in many products, especially in industries involving construction, automotive, and manufacturing, and in the military. Some of the most common products that contained asbestos include:
- Sprayed-on fire proofing and insulation in buildings
- Pipe and boiler insulation
- Gaskets and packing for pumps, valves, and compressors
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor tiles
- Putties, caulks, stucco, and cements
- Roofing shingles
- Siding shingles buildings and homes
- Wall and ceiling textures in buildings and homes
- Joint compound in buildings and homes
- Water or sewer pipes
- Electrical wiring and electrical components
- Brake linings, clutch pads, automotive gaskets, mufflers
- Welding and fire blankets
Asbestos Risks:
Since the early 1900s, scientific and medical research has shown that working with or being around asbestos can cause irreparable lung damage and cancer. This risk affects not only workers handling asbestos and asbestos-containing products but also people living near factories or facilities where asbestos is used or made. Asbestos is recognized as a Class-1 carcinogen, meaning that all types of asbestos can cause cancer in humans. There is no “safe level” of asbestos exposure, and even small amounts can lead to asbestos-related diseases. However, people who are exposed to asbestos over a long period of time or in larger amounts are at higher risk of developing these diseases.
Despite knowing about the dangers of asbestos, companies that made or used asbestos-containing products continued to expose workers and the public to these risks. They were aware of the severe health problems caused by asbestos, including lung damage and fatal cancers, but chose to keep using it for their own profit. Safer alternatives were available, but asbestos companies ignored these options and continued to sell asbestos products. In many cases, they even lied or hid the truth about the risks of asbestos to protect their profits. This is particularly harmful because many workers were unaware of the danger they faced, often not realizing the risks until many years later, when they were diagnosed with serious illnesses caused by asbestos.
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure:
- Asbestos exposure causes pleural plaques, asbestosis, and mesothelioma (a type of cancer of the lining of the lung). It also causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, stomach, and colon.
- Asbestos fibers are very small and can split into even smaller particles, making them easy to inhale. These tiny fibers can stay in the air for long periods and pass through the body’s normal defenses against dust and particles.
- The diseases caused by asbestos often have a long latency period, meaning symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 years after exposure. This is why many people who worked with asbestos in the 1950s and beyond are only now starting to see the effects, with an increase in cases of cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Free Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos or has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, contact us. We can help you understand your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries.
Contact us for a free evaluation of your case and to discuss your rights under the law.
We are available 24/7 to answer calls or evaluate cases.
Related Areas of Practice
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that most often affects the thin lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and sometimes the heart. Almost all cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cause of death related to asbestos exposure. People working in industries such as mining, manufacturing, or handling asbestos products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious lung disease that is not cancer. It happens when tiny asbestos fibers are breathed in, causing lung tissue to scar. This scarring makes it harder to breathe.
Other Cancers
Asbestos exposure can also lead to other types of cancer. Wherever asbestos can enter the body, it can cause harm. Consequently, asbestos victims also suffer from esophageal, laryngeal, throat, stomach and colon cancer.