Asbestos Diseases: Are You at Risk?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is very durable, heat resistant, and insulating.  Because of these properties, asbestos was added to thousands of industrial and construction products until its use became highly regulated by the government and environmental protection agencies in the mid 1980’s.

Asbestos is virtually banned in the United States because it is known to be highly carcinogenic.  Despite the ban, many homes, cars, ships and other buildings and products that exist today still contain asbestos.  Anytime a home, car, ship or building is damaged, repaired, renovated, or demolished, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can become disturbed, releasing microscopic fibers and dust into the air.  If asbestos is inhaled or ingested into the body, years later it can develop into serious illnesses.

The most fatal and aggressive disease caused by exposure to asbestos is mesothelioma.  This is an incurable cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs (pleural), the abdomen (peritoneal), or the heart (pericardial).  Another incurable type of disease caused by asbestos is called asbestosis, a fibrosis in the lung which can cause severe dyspnea, or shortness of breath.  Other types of lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Those most at risk of developing an asbestos related disease are men and women who worked in shipyards, aboard ships, in any branch of the military, auto mechanics (particularly brake mechanics), construction, maintenance and industrial workers.   The following locations are particularly high risk areas:

Shipyards throughout the United StatesArmy and military sitesConstruction Sites, Residential, Commercial and IndustrialPaper and Lumber MillsSteel MillsOil RefineriesBuildings Built before 1980:  Schools, Hotels, Churches, Banks, Shopping Malls, etc.Chemical and Power PlantsAsbestos Manufacturing FacilitiesDistribution, Mining, Water Treatment Plants.

In addition, to those occupationally exposed, family members who had close contact with anyone in these occupations, as well as those living near asbestos mines and manufacturing plants are at higher risk.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos related cancer, please contact our experienced mesothelioma attorneys for a free case evaluation that could provide financial compensation to help pay medical bills and cover other costs and losses.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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