Asbestos
Asbestos is a common building material that has been considered a serious health risk for the last four decades. It was used heavily throughout the United States in the early 20th century as an insulation material and in many industrial applications. Several types of minerals were used to create asbestos for various commercial purposes and some types of asbestos are still used today in trace amounts.
Uses of Asbestos
Asbestos is extremely fire-retardant and resistant to many hazardous chemicals, so industrial asbestos use was common up until the 1970s. It could be found in many household products, including artificial snow, cigarettes and ceiling tiles. Workers in the ship building industry were especially at risk of dangerous exposure, as most ship building companies used asbestos liberally. Many military workers were also exposed, especially in the Navy and Army.
Mesothelioma and Other Health Risks
The carcinogenic properties of asbestos are well-established. Asbestos can release tiny shards of material into the air, where they're inhaled and lodge in the lining of the lungs. The fibers damage the lungs and allow cancer or other conditions to form. Over time, the material has been linked to mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that almost always occurs due to prolonged asbestos exposure, as well as asbestosis and other conditions.
Types of Asbestos
Asbestos is generally categorized as either friable or non-friable. Friable asbestos is more dangerous, as it's more likely to release these shards, but non-friable asbestos can still cause serious health conditions including mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers have been shown to stick to clothing, and some mesothelioma patients were not directly exposed - their family members brought fibers home on work clothes.
The most dangerous types of asbestos are crocidolite and amosite, due to their composition and their widespread use in the United States. Both of these asbestos types are part of the amphibole group, which is exceptionally friable. The other major type of asbestos is chrysotile, which can be found in many building and fireproofing materials. Although chrysotile is thought to be less dangerous, it still presents a health risk and is banned in several countries.
Federal Legislation and Mesothelioma Patient Rights
The health effects of asbestos exposure were poorly understood until the 1970s, when federal regulations took effect to limit asbestos use and exposure. Measures to reduce and abate asbestos in older buildings were introduced by Congress in the 1980s, but over 10,000 people still die each year due to completely preventable asbestos exposure.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma and other conditions caused by asbestos exposure usually present with subtle symptoms, which leads to a high occurrence of late-stage diagnoses. As with all types of lung cancer, mesothelioma treatment can be extremely expensive, especially in the later stages.
Patients with asbestos-related conditions are entitled to seek restitution for illnesses and deaths caused by exposure. It's important to find more information about asbestosis, mesothelioma and discuss your legal options if you or a family member has been exposed to any type of asbestos.