Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral, most commonly found in serpentinite, ultramafic, and mafic rocks. When these rocks are crushed open, asbestos can be gathered. In the past, asbestos was used in many industrial, commercial, and construction materials. It was chosen for these types materials because of its strong resistance to chemicals and heat, its strength and durability, affordability, and for its low electrical current. There are several assorted types of asbestos, consisting of six primary subtypes.
With more than $30 billion currently set aside in trust funds, you may qualify for substantial compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
asbestos
Since the 1970s, it has been known that asbestos was dangerous for humans, especially those who are prolonged to it for a long period of time. Many manufacturers stopped using it after the health risks and mesothelioma symptoms came to light.
In some instances, however, asbestos manufacturers continued to put workers in danger by exposing them daily to the harmful materials. Because of this, millions have suffered and continue to suffer from the adverse effects of asbestos. Thousands of new asbestos victims surface each year, plagued with deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and more.
Even though asbestos has been banned from being used in most places of employment in the United States and other countries, it can still be found in many homes, schools, and buildings that were built before the law prevented its use. The most common places asbestos can be found is in ceiling and floor tiles, pipe and boiler insulation, shingles, plasters, and joint compounds.
If you work or live in a building that was built prior to the mid 1980s, you should never do anything that will aggravate asbestos fibers, such as drilling, cutting, hammering or sawing in areas where asbestos is located. If you need parts repaired or removed from these type houses and buildings, a certified asbestos abatement professional should be contacted.
Employers who have workers that are exposed to asbestos in current times must follow strict federally-mandated requirements with no exceptions. All workers must be exposed to no more than 0.1 fibers of asbestos per cubic feet during a normal work shift, typically 8 hours.
Rotating different employees to meet this guideline is strictly prohibited. Additionally, all workers who can potentially come in contact with a even small amount of asbestos must be able to get a medical exam every 30 days, provided by their employers. Furthermore, protective clothing and hygiene products must be available at all times.
Although it’s much more rare these days for workers to come into contact with asbestos, it continues to happen when older buildings, insulation, flooring, and other parts containing asbestos need to be repaired or replaced.
If any part of your home or a building that could potentially contain asbestos has been damaged, you should not clean up or repair the damages yourself. Contact your local Safety and Health Administration. Employees who deal with asbestos have been professionally trained and are protected while working around the dangerous fibers.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
Mesothelioma can also develop from some forms of radiation therapy as well as through second-hand contact, such as the clothing worn by a family member who worked around asbestos. Yet, direct and prolonged asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of mesothelioma.
The disease almost always lies dormant for several decades, typically around 30 years, before victims begin to experience the first warning signs. Sometimes it can take 50 years before the first symptom presents itself. In many cases, mesothelioma has already moved into a later stage of the disease before victims get a proper diagnosis.
Since the first signs of the disease are often confused with the flu or pneumonia, mesothelioma can go undiagnosed for a long time, making prognosis grim once its diagnosed. In addition, many victims may actually have recurring pneumonia and/or bronchitis because of mesothelioma, which further confuses a proper diagnosis with more common diseases.
Keep in mind that although the majority of malignant mesothelioma patients have been subjected to long-term asbestos exposure, in certain situations, victims have been exposed to asbestos for only a short amount of time before contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Some studies have also suggested, as previously mentioned, that individuals run the risk of asbestos exposure just by washing the clothes of someone who has been around it or coming into daily contact with anyone working around asbestos.
Teachers, staff members, and student also risk developing mesothelioma if they are in school buildings that were built with asbestos-containing materials. This type of exposure is rare though, as state and federal laws are set up to ensure each school maintains an asbestos management plan at all times.
Mesothelioma also differs from other types of lung cancers in that victims never contract the disease from tobacco products. Additionally, smoking doesn’t increase the risk of getting mesothelioma whereas it does increase the risk of other lung-related asbestos cancer diseases.
Since there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, the prognosis for victims of mesothelioma is not favorable. However, with the advancement of several treatment options, many patients can go on to live several years after diagnosis.
Keep in mind that each case is unique and will depend upon the stage of the disease and the physical and mental health of the patient. A combination of a strong treatment plan and a healthy diet can help increase the patient’s life span. In addition, several patients have turned to meditation and other holistic treatments, and have reported favorable outcomes.
Several thousand workers die each year as a result of asbestos-related lung cancer, and these numbers are expected to increase as more people begin to hit the timeline in which asbestos-related symptoms start to show up.
One of the biggest differences between asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma, as aforementioned, is that individuals who smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars are much more likely to develop asbestos-related lung cancer, but smoking doesn’t factor into an increased risk of mesothelioma.
The most common occupations in which workers are exposed include engineers, mechanics, carpenters, maritime workers, construction workers, firefighters, plumbers, roofers, HVAC workers, factory workers, paper mill workers, and military personnel prior to the early 1980s.
Workers were exposed to different types of asbestos depending upon occupation, such as Amosite, Chrysotile, and Crocidolite. Almost all victims of mesothelioma had prolonged exposure at work, for extended periods of time on a daily basis.
Moreover, victims are typically older males ages 60 and older, although mesothelioma can affect anyone at any age. For example, as mentioned earlier, teachers and even students are at a slight risk if the school building was created prior to the asbestos ban.
However, older males are more apt to develop mesothelioma because of the occupations associated with asbestos use. Most job sites were male-dominated when exposure occurred.
X-rays, a CT scan, and/or a MRI scan is usually performed next, which gives doctors a detailed look around the chest cavity and other internal body parts. If abnormal cells or a thickened pleura is found, a syringe or a chest tube is inserted into the patient’s body. It’s used to gather the fluid in the infected areas of the body, which will then be evaluated for cancerous cells and tumors.
If malignant cells are found, a biopsy usually follows. A biopsy allows the physician to remove a small part of the infected area in order for a pathologist to study it. A biopsy is almost always needed in order to confirm a positive diagnosis for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers are considered new in the medical world, but as more research continues, a better, more successful screening method may surface.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for those who are victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Treatment consists of draining the fluid, and in severe cases, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Most people who receive treatment beat the condition. Studies show in the majority of cases, the tumors don’t return after treatment.
Smoking can also play a part asbestos-related lung cancer. If the victim is a smoker, the chances of developing lung cancer triples. In many instances, lung cancer related to smoking can get confused with asbestos-related lung cancer. Because of this, the Helinski Criteria was created in order to help determine if lung cancer is asbestos-related or from other forms. The Helinski Criteria mandates that the lung cancer must have developed at least 10 years after asbestos exposure, that a high percentage of asbestos must be found in the lungs, and that the victim must have had prolonged and a high amount of exposure to asbestos.
COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. It manifests itself as either chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Those with COPD often suffer from a persistent, hacking cough, accompanied by sputum. They may also experience difficulty while breathing, fatigue, weight loss, and tightness in the chest. COPD affects an estimated 24 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
There is no cure for COPD. It can, however, be managed by a variety of treatments, including bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, and, in extreme cases, oxygen therapy. People with COPD can also take preventive measures such as avoiding exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and other pollutants.
Pleural effusions by themselves are not life-threatening, but the conditions that create them are, such as mesothelioma. Although the effusions will usually resolve within three months or so, they have the tendency to recur frequently. Treatment options include medications and thoracoscopic surgery, which entails draining the excessive fluid.
Victims contract other forms of cancers the same way as mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer: ingestion or inhalation of asbestos which usually occurs after prolonged exposure.
As with all asbestos-related diseases, victims of asbestosis usually contracted the disease and experiencing prolonged exposure to asbestos, typically while working at job sites prior to the early 80s that used the mineral. Asbestos was commonly used in pipes, floors, shingles, cement, and as insulation before it was banned from production and shipment. However, by the time production and shipping of asbestos stopped, several thousand victims had already been exposed to so much that their health was already in poor condition.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Although mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis closely resemble each other, it’s important to remember that while mesothelioma is a disease in which cancerous cells build up on several different body parts (most typically, the lungs), asbestosis is an illness in which scar tissue develops on the lungs.
How severe asbestosis is all depends upon how long a victim has been exposed to asbestos and how much many of the fibers were inhaled. Unfortunately, it can take decades for symptoms to show up, if at all. If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
Unfortunately, the warning signs of asbestosis mimic allergies, the common cold, and/or the flu, and victims may prolong a doctor visit. However, getting immediate medical treatment can possibly help you battle the disease much more effectively it’s detected as soon as possible.
In order to be diagnosed with asbestosis, a physician typically takes x-rays of the chest, along with performing a biopsy and a complete physical exam. During the biopsy, a surgeon will remove a tiny portion of the lung tissues in order to search for asbestos fibers.
Depending on the severity of the disease, physicians may recommend several options, including an entire lung transplant, oral and physical therapy, flu shots, aerosol medicine, and more. Physical and oral therapy may include exercises that help ease pain and remove mucous.
Along with a proper diet, asbestosis victims should always get enough rest. ATSDR suggest getting at least eight hours of sleep per night and light naps to reduce your chances of getting too tired.
Asbestosis victims must also try their best to keep away from bacteria and germs. Wash your hands as much as possible and try not to be in large crowds too much, if possible. In addition, stay indoors if pollution and/or smog are at a high point, and avoid getting too close to cleaning supplies that contain aerosol, gasoline fumes, and other irritants that can flare up your lungs.
Furthermore, ATSDR recommends keeping a journal in which you can track down your symptoms and things that may have triggered pain. Pay close attention to breathing difficulties and how long each bout lasts. Be sure to share your information with your physician.
Asbestosis cases have not been limited solely to the United States. For example, in 1984, and Australian attorney helped over 300 workers fight for compensation after being exposed to asbestos at the Wittenoom mill. Wittenoom is a national park in Western Australia, yet what was once a beautiful park is now known as a place of suffering after thousands were exposed to asbestos while mining in the area.
In another Australian lawsuit, several victims and family members came forward after being exposed to asbestos in the La Trobe Valley, where the State Electricity Commission of Virginia (SECV) employed workers in their power stations. During construction of the power stations, employees were working daily while being subjected to large amounts of asbestos. As a result, a good portion of the workers were later diagnosed with asbestosis.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, now is the time to take the first steps in determining what you may be eligible for. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
Most ship workers exposed to asbestos have been Americans. Over 4 million Americans worked on ships during the World War II era and many of them worked as asbestos insulators.
California is the leading state for the most diagnosed cases of asbestos cancer. Along with having an overabundance of natural asbestos deposits in the state, California is also one of the largest coastlines in North America, making it a convenient place to have an array of shipyards.
Many power plant workers chose to wear protective gear and clothing to help avoid too much exposure, but even with protection, total asbestos exposure was unavoidable. Unfortunately, there were several major power plants that used asbestos spread throughout almost every state in the United States.
Metal workers would typically spend several hours per day working in plants and factories that were covered in asbestos. In turn, these workers have a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Construction work encompasses a variety of different jobs functions, most of which come with the risk of asbestos exposure, including:
Similar to construction workers, firefighters also have one of the most dangerous occupations. They’re also still likely to face asbestos exposure in homes and buildings that were built with the dengerous mineral prior to the EPA’s strict regulations.
Firefighters today may not know that they’ve developed an asbestos-related illness until decades later, sometimes up to 50 years later. It’s crucial that firefighters always get regular medical check ups.
Today, schools must be inspected every three years in order to develop an effective management plan for asbestos exposure. However, per the National Center for Health Statistics, school teachers, specifically elementary school teachers, run a risk of developing mesothelioma.
Older homes built prior to the early 1980s may contain excessive amounts of asbestos. Prior to the EPA’s regulations, numerous manufacturers and companies used asbestos heavily in insulation, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, appliances, caulking, window seals, walls, paints, and more.
Millions of homes across the nation that were built with asbestos-containing materials are still occupied by families. It’s extremely important to seek the help of a state-certified asbestos inspector if you live in an older home, as asbestos fibers cannot be detected by the human eye. Until then, make sure to never start any renovations or heavy-duty cleaning projects as these activities can stir up asbestos fibers.
Although many oil refinery employers knew of the dangers of asbestos, workers were still exposed daily until a law mandated in the United States in the late 1970s eliminated its use. However, by that time, the majority of damage had been done, and many workers now face an array of mesothelioma symptoms due to their prolonged exposure.
Older paper mills also used asbestos in insulation in boilers and pipes. In addition, these mills were built with cement, paint, ceiling and floor tiles, roofing materials, countertops, and siding which contained asbestos.
In 2009, another children’s product, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation toy kit, was found to contain asbestos. Television station CBS and a number of major retailers settled a class-action asbestos lawsuit involving the product. It’s since been removed from store shelves and is no longer manufactured.
In contrast to occupational exposure, which tends to affect male workers who were employed in shipyards, power plants, and other enterprises that used asbestos in large quantities, second-hand exposure is more prevalent in women and children.
Secondary exposure generally occurred when men returned home from work in industrial job sites or other places where asbestos exposure took place and brought the fibers along on their work clothes. Consequently, women who came in contact with the asbestos-covered clothes while cleaning or handling them created small clouds of the fibers and inhaled them.
Children were also exposed to asbestos fibers when they hugged or played with their fathers, brothers, or family friends who unwittingly brought asbestos fibers home on their coveralls or other clothing worn for work.
Pleural exposure is the most common type, with symptoms consisting of:
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for those who are victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Soon after the asbestos manufacturing business boomed, numerous business began noticing the adverse effects of asbestos when employees and contractors started exhibiting illnesses. Yet, the asbestos industry was lucrative, and instead of providing warnings to workers and protecting them, many companies swept the health warnings under the rug so that their businesses would keep thriving.
One company in particular, Johns Manville, conducted their own internal investigations. After the results proved that asbestos was causing injuries and dangerous illness, the company hid the evidence and continued business as usual. In fact, decades would pass before their hidden internal investigations would surface.
However, by the 1960s, physicians and scientists were gathering their own information on asbestos risks, and by 1964, a clear link between asbestos exposure and cancer was identified. According to research, a plethora of people died from asbestos exposure from 1943 to 1962 after working around asbestos and ingesting its harmful fibers. Yet, there were still no regulations in place and asbestos manufacturers continued to supply it to various companies across the world.
It wasn’t until 1970 that strict regulations were finally placed on asbestos manufacturing. Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which prohibited many of the ways that asbestos was manufactured and used. Over the next several years, companies began to phase out asbestos use, but workers had been exposed for so long that many had already developed life-threatening diseases.
Although these companies were regulated many years ago, former workers, spouses, and adult children of people who worked around asbestos are still being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses at an alarming rate. In fact, experts speculate that the worst has yet to happen and that the rate of mesothelioma diagnoses will continue to rise.
Because of the sheer amount of deaths and illnesses caused by asbestos, many of the aforementioned companies have set up asbestos trust funds to help compensate future victims. Other companies were sued for millions. In fact, in 2002 alone, over 700,000 plaintiffs filed asbestos lawsuits against more than 8,000 asbestos manufacturers.
The widespread use of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during the 19th and 20th Centuries encompassed a wide swath of industries. Starting in Industrial Revolution-era England, any manufacturing enterprise which required furnaces, steam engines, foundries, or depended on processes which involved high temperatures incorporated large amounts of heat-resistant asbestos to protect its facilities from excessive heat or destructive fires.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
As Western Europe and the United States became more industrialized and more factories and power plants were built, the use of asbestos increased in massive proportions. By the turn of the 20th Century, asbestos was used in power generation plants, steel mills, shipyards, automobile factories, and the construction industry. Eventually, asbestos was used even to make certain clothing fire-retardant.
The ubiquitous nature of asbestos in American industry affected almost every occupation associated with manufacturing or power generation. As early as the 19th Century, workers in the minerals extraction business were exposed to asbestos fibers even if they were mining for gold, silver, iron, or other materials.
In Minnesota, for instance, iron miners would inadvertently disturb naturally-occurring asbestos deposits when they dug into the earth of the Iron Hills region in their quest for rich iron ore. When the rich iron deposits were depleted and Minnesota miners turned their attention to extracting an iron-bearing mineral called taconite, they also ran into adjacent deposits of asbestos.
Mining, of course, is not the only occupation associated with mesothelioma. During the peak era of asbestos use in the United States, from the 1920s to the early 1970s, a wide variety of workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis at their job sites.
During this half-century in U.S. history, which saw a sharp rise in electrical power use and the dominance of heavy industry, worksites were built with large amounts of asbestos to prevent or minimize damage from fires or made many products loaded with asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos and ACMs were used in nearly every component of a ship, from the crows’ nest on the superstructure to the ship’s keel. Pipes, engineering spaces, boilers, and the insulated wiring of a vessel’s electrical system contained some form of asbestos.
As a result, shipfitters, stevedores, boiler room personnel, repair yard workers, engineering officers, and other personnel afloat or ashore were constantly exposed to asbestos fibers stirred up by even the most routine activities on a ship or a dockyard.
Since the U.S. Navy had the same concerns as civilian maritime enterprises regarding fires at sea, this branch of the armed forces was a major purchaser of asbestos and all of its ships contained large amounts of the fire- and heat-resistant materials.
Consequently, naval personnel and members of the armed services which traveled on U.S. Navy ships or passed through naval facilities in World War II and the Cold War era tend to be diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.
Personnel with occupational specialties analogous to those in the civilian shipbuilding industry, such as navy repair yard workers and sailors assigned to a ship’s engineering division suffered the most exposure. As a result, they tend to develop mesothelioma in larger numbers than other naval veterans.
While doing these tasks, employees and contractors across the nation were working in buildings that were insulated heavily with asbestos. Machinery and products used to make paper were also ridden with asbestos.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the majority of asbestos illness victims contracted the disease while working around equipment in paper mills that contained asbestos, specifically boilers. Since operating a boiler requires the use of high heating, asbestos was used to for its heat and fire-resistant properties.
Additionally, simple daily, routine maintenance of the machinery and equipment in paper mills places arrays of workers at risk. For instance, every time a machine was cleaned or maintained, particles and dust would become airborne, containing asbestos fibers.
Several lawsuits from former paper mill employees have ensued for several years, including one plaintiff, Henry Barabin, who won a $10 million lawsuit. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill for over 30 years.
The use of asbestos during railroad work so prevalent that almost every employee and contractor faced risks. For example, repair workers were exposed to asbestos fibers and dust each time maintenance was needed as they risked inhaling asbestos fibers that was used in crates, brake linings, clutches and more.
Inspectors also faced the same dangers each time a train and its parts were inspected. In fact, anyone around railroads for extended periods of time prior to the ban of asbestos use is urged to seek medical attention immediately.
Each job function came with the inherent risk of asbestos exposure. For instance, while one worker faces asbestos exposure via shingles or drywall, another faced exposure from electrical panels. In fact, asbestos was used extensively in almost every construction project in the United States prior to the EPA regulations.
While working alongside each other assembly lines, a plethora of factory workers handled arrays of asbestos-containing products on a daily basis. In addition to handling products the asbestos, the lathes that spun the products and conveying belts that moved products down the assembly lines were also made with asbestos, in order to prevent friction.
Even if workers were not a part of the assembly line, they still risked asbestos exposure by simply being in a factory. Office workers, crew leaders, machinists, and foremen were all at risk of the hazards since asbestos so was prominent in factories across the nation.
Aside from the possibility of getting severely injured or even killed while on the job, firefighters also run the risk of ingesting asbestos, which can lead to toxic illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.
Insulation workers who installed and/or repaired insulation typically didn’t wear the proper protective gear when working, which in turn places this group of workers at risk of developing an asbestos illness.
In the past, a good number of carpenters would go home covered in asbestos dust, putting family members at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases via second-hand exposure. Carpentry work remains an occupation associated with a high risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
The long-term effects, of course, have left numerous former and retired boilermakers battling life-threatening illnesses, specifically malignant mesothelioma, the disease boilermakers have “been most” diagnosed with.
Even further back in the 1800s, physicians were linking lung diseases to prolonged asbestos exposure in factories. Yet, when companies that relied on the hazardous mineral became aware of its dangers, many did nothing to prevent their workers from developing fatal diseases. In fact, an array of businesses carefully hid any information that would alert employees, contractors, and others to the risk they took each time they were exposed to asbestos.
If you or a loved have mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in trusts set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
However, by the 1930s, victims started filing lawsuits against their employers after being diagnosed with asbestosis. Companies began settling the lawsuits on a condition that no more lawsuits would come about regarding asbestos.
After the initial asbestos lawsuits, several employees underwent health screenings at the consent of their employers. Yet, it’s been documented that a plethora of employers once again covered up the evidence by altering the health study results. However, it didn’t go unnoticed by physicians, who then were discovering that not only did asbestos cause lung issues and difficulty with breathing, but also lung cancer. When these companies became aware of the findings, more extensive plans of hiding evidence followed. For example, supervisors and managers were told to never talk of the hidden dangers of asbestos to employees.
In 1943, after a six-year study and research on asbestos, Dr. LeRoy Gardner of the Saranac Laboratory in New York, provided the Johns-Manville Corporation the detailed results of his research. Asbestos was found likely to be carcinogenic, meaning that the mineral is extremely dangerous. At the Johns-Manville Corporation’s request, none of the findings were made public, nor available to any of the workers that were employed at Johns-Manville. In addition, the asbestos industry ensured that Dr. Gardner’s results were suppressed by altering and creating a false report.
The dangers of asbestos became so prevalent that in 1979, the EPA announced the consideration of regulating asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Yet, after a stampede of protests stating that too many people would be out of a job, the EPA decided not to pursue the regulations. Nonetheless, after a 10-year study on the dangers of asbestos and how it affects humans, the EPA finally banned the use of all asbestos in 1989. Members of the asbestos industry, however, appealed the ban, and unfortunately, they won. Consequently, although asbestos can still be used, there are a plethora of mandated rules regarding an employee’s exposure as well as several products, building, and items it can never be used on.
The reason behind the great cover-ups simply comes down to money. If the production of and the use of asbestos was eliminated, many companies would lose the fortune they built. In fact, in another documented statement, when an executive of a corporation that used asbestos was asked if he would let his workers die if it meant continuing to use the mineral, he replied, “ Yes. We save a lot of money that way.” In other words, the profits of the businesses that used asbestos was more important than the lives of the people who helped these businesses survive.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
The asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) was created by the EPA in order to decrease the amount of asbestos released into the air during activities that involve professional workers who handle materials containing asbestos.
After asbestos was determined by the EPA to be a hazardous pollutant and extremely dangerous to health in 1971, NESHAP was created and amended on several different occasions until its latest version was released in 1995. In addition to asbestos, NESHAP also regulates six other hazardous air pollutants, including:
In regards to asbestos, NESHAP laws apply to all buildings that were created using asbestos-containing materials, including schools, office buildings, apartments, department stores, auto repair shops, churches, hospitals, and more. The only exception to NESHAP regulations is residential homes and buildings with less than four dwellings. Otherwise, all housing complexes must abide by NESHAP and other state asbestos regulations. In addition, NESHAP rules apply to any industrial, institutional, or commercial buildings:
All of the aforementioned laws are protected by OSHA regulations and must be fully adhered to.
Unfortunately, the majority of these laws were implemented years after millions of workers had already been exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. As a result, thousands of those workers have already been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as lung cancer, asbestosis or asbestos cancer. Thousands more are expected to be diagnosed in the future.
According to state and federal laws, if you’ve been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with a disease after working in a place that contained asbestos, the responsible party could be one or any of the following:
In the past, the most typical job sites and occupations that had an overabundance of asbestos materials were:
For more information see our articles on Asbestos Abatement and Asbestos Disposal.
With more than $30 billion currently set aside in trust funds, you may qualify for substantial compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
asbestos
- Tremolite: Tremolite asbestos is generally found in certain talcum powders, but usually wasn’t used commercially. Additionally, this type of asbestos was used in vermiculite as well as products containing vermiculite. Tremolite is in the family of amphibole asbestos; a mineral with long and thin fibers. Colors range from dark green to off-white.
- Amosite: Amosite asbestos is commonly known as “brown asbestos” because of its brownish-gray color. Amosite was the 2nd most frequently used asbestos commercially, and also of one the deadliest, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was widely used in thermal insulation products, ceiling tiles, spray coatings, and motor industry asbestos plastics.
- Chrysotile: The serpentine asbestos chrysotile was the most commonly used asbestos in the United States. It’s often referred to as “white asbestos” because of its color, and according to the EPA, is another one of the most deadliest types of asbestos. Additionally, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, chrysotile has been confirmed to be linked to malignant mesothelioma and other forms of asbestos cancer. Chrysotile was mainly used sheets, pipes, and shingles. Other additional products that may contain chrysotile are textiles, rubber sealants, brake pads for motor vehicles, textiles, and asphalt.
- Crocidolite: Crocidolite, also referred to as “blue asbestos,” was used the least commercially. However, crocidolite is the most harmful type of asbestos in the amphibole group. Crocidolite was mined by workers, usually in Australia and South Africa. According to the EPA, at least 18% of those miners have died from the long-term exposure. This type of asbestos was used mainly for cement products due its ability to add durability and strength. It was rarely used for fire resistance or insulation as this type of asbestos is not nearly as heat resistant as some of the more popular types.
- Anthophyllite: Anthophyllite is another type of asbestos in the amphibole family. It’s one of the lesser-known asbestos, yet it can be just as dangerous if inhaled. Anthophyllite’s long and sharp fibers are easily ingested and can get lodged in the chest area. This type of asbestos has been linked to lung cancer. It can be found in talc mines all across the world.
- Actinolite: Although actinolite was rarely used commercially, it has been found in certain paint products, sealants, drywalls, and even toys. Part of the amphibole group, actinolite is dense and brittle, and can be easily ingested and become stuck in the chest and abdominal area. Long term exposure has been linked to both lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Since the 1970s, it has been known that asbestos was dangerous for humans, especially those who are prolonged to it for a long period of time. Many manufacturers stopped using it after the health risks and mesothelioma symptoms came to light.
In some instances, however, asbestos manufacturers continued to put workers in danger by exposing them daily to the harmful materials. Because of this, millions have suffered and continue to suffer from the adverse effects of asbestos. Thousands of new asbestos victims surface each year, plagued with deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and more.
Asbestos Today
Even though asbestos has been banned from being used in most places of employment in the United States and other countries, it can still be found in many homes, schools, and buildings that were built before the law prevented its use. The most common places asbestos can be found is in ceiling and floor tiles, pipe and boiler insulation, shingles, plasters, and joint compounds.
If you work or live in a building that was built prior to the mid 1980s, you should never do anything that will aggravate asbestos fibers, such as drilling, cutting, hammering or sawing in areas where asbestos is located. If you need parts repaired or removed from these type houses and buildings, a certified asbestos abatement professional should be contacted.
Employers who have workers that are exposed to asbestos in current times must follow strict federally-mandated requirements with no exceptions. All workers must be exposed to no more than 0.1 fibers of asbestos per cubic feet during a normal work shift, typically 8 hours.
Rotating different employees to meet this guideline is strictly prohibited. Additionally, all workers who can potentially come in contact with a even small amount of asbestos must be able to get a medical exam every 30 days, provided by their employers. Furthermore, protective clothing and hygiene products must be available at all times.
Although it’s much more rare these days for workers to come into contact with asbestos, it continues to happen when older buildings, insulation, flooring, and other parts containing asbestos need to be repaired or replaced.
If any part of your home or a building that could potentially contain asbestos has been damaged, you should not clean up or repair the damages yourself. Contact your local Safety and Health Administration. Employees who deal with asbestos have been professionally trained and are protected while working around the dangerous fibers.
Asbestos Cancer Guide
Asbestos cancer is a form of different kinds of cancers that develop after continuous exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma, a disease that affects the lining of the lungs when the fine fibers of the mineral become lodged in the system, is currently the most common and most prevalent form of asbestos cancer. The other forms of asbestos cancer can affect not only the lungs, but other body parts, such as the stomach, chest, colon, and gastrointestinal system.If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma differs from other types of lung-related cancers in that it is the only disease that that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. People contract mesothelioma by inhaling or ingesting large amounts of asbestos fibers over a prolonged period of time. After the fibers are in the body’s system for a while, DNA damage occurs which leads to tumors in the lungs, abdomen, and other parts of the body, with the lungs being the most common part of the body for mesothelioma development.Mesothelioma can also develop from some forms of radiation therapy as well as through second-hand contact, such as the clothing worn by a family member who worked around asbestos. Yet, direct and prolonged asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of mesothelioma.
The disease almost always lies dormant for several decades, typically around 30 years, before victims begin to experience the first warning signs. Sometimes it can take 50 years before the first symptom presents itself. In many cases, mesothelioma has already moved into a later stage of the disease before victims get a proper diagnosis.
Since the first signs of the disease are often confused with the flu or pneumonia, mesothelioma can go undiagnosed for a long time, making prognosis grim once its diagnosed. In addition, many victims may actually have recurring pneumonia and/or bronchitis because of mesothelioma, which further confuses a proper diagnosis with more common diseases.
Keep in mind that although the majority of malignant mesothelioma patients have been subjected to long-term asbestos exposure, in certain situations, victims have been exposed to asbestos for only a short amount of time before contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Some studies have also suggested, as previously mentioned, that individuals run the risk of asbestos exposure just by washing the clothes of someone who has been around it or coming into daily contact with anyone working around asbestos.
Teachers, staff members, and student also risk developing mesothelioma if they are in school buildings that were built with asbestos-containing materials. This type of exposure is rare though, as state and federal laws are set up to ensure each school maintains an asbestos management plan at all times.
Mesothelioma also differs from other types of lung cancers in that victims never contract the disease from tobacco products. Additionally, smoking doesn’t increase the risk of getting mesothelioma whereas it does increase the risk of other lung-related asbestos cancer diseases.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma:
- Severe chest pain
- Rough breathing sounds
- Reduction in chest expansion when inhaling
- Dyspnea
- Hacking, dry coughing, or wheezing
- Unusual weight loss
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Prognosis of Mesothelioma
Since there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, the prognosis for victims of mesothelioma is not favorable. However, with the advancement of several treatment options, many patients can go on to live several years after diagnosis.
Keep in mind that each case is unique and will depend upon the stage of the disease and the physical and mental health of the patient. A combination of a strong treatment plan and a healthy diet can help increase the patient’s life span. In addition, several patients have turned to meditation and other holistic treatments, and have reported favorable outcomes.
Asbestos-related Lung Cancer
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), lung cancer, one of most prevalent types of cancers in the world, is one of the greatest risks for American workers who have been exposed to asbestos.Several thousand workers die each year as a result of asbestos-related lung cancer, and these numbers are expected to increase as more people begin to hit the timeline in which asbestos-related symptoms start to show up.
One of the biggest differences between asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma, as aforementioned, is that individuals who smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars are much more likely to develop asbestos-related lung cancer, but smoking doesn’t factor into an increased risk of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of asbestos-related lung cancer consist of:
- Dry coughs and hacking
- Difficulty in breathing
- Lung and chest pain
- Fatigue
- Fever, chills, and throat pain
- Frequent episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
- Face and neck swelling
- Unusual weight loss
- Pain that worsens when inhaling
- A gargling-type sound when inhaling, accompanied by pain
Other Forms of Asbestos Cancer
A few other forms of cancer have also been linked to asbestos. Although the evidence is still being researched, preliminary studies have suggested that asbestos has the potential to form cancer in the colon, gastrointestinal system, throat, esophagus, and gallbladder.
Common Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Cancer
The most common occupations in which workers are exposed include engineers, mechanics, carpenters, maritime workers, construction workers, firefighters, plumbers, roofers, HVAC workers, factory workers, paper mill workers, and military personnel prior to the early 1980s.Workers were exposed to different types of asbestos depending upon occupation, such as Amosite, Chrysotile, and Crocidolite. Almost all victims of mesothelioma had prolonged exposure at work, for extended periods of time on a daily basis.
Moreover, victims are typically older males ages 60 and older, although mesothelioma can affect anyone at any age. For example, as mentioned earlier, teachers and even students are at a slight risk if the school building was created prior to the asbestos ban.
However, older males are more apt to develop mesothelioma because of the occupations associated with asbestos use. Most job sites were male-dominated when exposure occurred.
Naturally Occurring Asbestos
In addition, those who’ve never worked around asbestos but live close to naturally occurring asbestos run the risk of developing asbestos cancer. For example, citizens of three villages in Turkey were dying at an alarming rate due to exposure to natural asbestos that was scattered around the small towns of Karain, Sarıhıdır, and Tuzköy. In fact, 50% of all deaths occurring in these villages were from asbestos cancer.Diagnosing Asbestos Cancer
Diagnosing asbestos cancer can often be problematic as the signs and symptoms tend to mimic a variety of other diseases. Therefore, a complete medical history, along with your entire work history, needs to be provided to your physician right away. If a physician knows that you have a history of asbestos exposure right away, it can speed up the diagnosis process.X-rays, a CT scan, and/or a MRI scan is usually performed next, which gives doctors a detailed look around the chest cavity and other internal body parts. If abnormal cells or a thickened pleura is found, a syringe or a chest tube is inserted into the patient’s body. It’s used to gather the fluid in the infected areas of the body, which will then be evaluated for cancerous cells and tumors.
If malignant cells are found, a biopsy usually follows. A biopsy allows the physician to remove a small part of the infected area in order for a pathologist to study it. A biopsy is almost always needed in order to confirm a positive diagnosis for mesothelioma.
Screening for Asbestos Cancer
Currently, there is no official or universal method of screening for asbestos cancer, even though an early screening would help doctors diagnose the disease much earlier than the methods used today. However, some physicians are testing out the Mesomark assay screening, an in-vitro test that measures soluble mesothelin proteins. Mesothelin-related proteins are released by infected mesothelioma cells.Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers are considered new in the medical world, but as more research continues, a better, more successful screening method may surface.
Asbestos Diseases Guide
Exposure to asbestos has been linked to an abundance of diseases, injuries, and ailments. Some diseases are more complicated and serious than other asbestos-related diseases, but almost every victim that suffers has some form of respiratory system disorder.If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for those who are victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Mesothelioma
Although malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, it’s the most well-known type of asbestos cancer. Mesothelioma typically starts by cancer developing within the lining of the lungs. Symptoms of mesothelioma consist of chest pain, fluid buildup in the lungs and chest, fatigue, weight loss, lethargy, and shortness of breath. Victims are usually exposed to asbestos over a long duration. However, in some instances, only short periods of exposure has led to mesothelioma. Currently, there are around 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma annually in the United States. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are between 50 to 70 years of age, with men being three times more likely to be diagnosed than women. The survival rate of mesothelioma is sparse, usually because its already in its advanced stages before it is caught. Treatment options are covered in-depth in our Treatment Guide.Papillary Mesothelioma
Papillary Mesothelioma, also known as well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is considered the least harmful form of mesothelioma. It can affect anyone at any age, but women between the ages of 30 to 40 have been diagnosed with the condition most often. Although the cause of WDPM is still being researched, some cases suggest exposure to asbestos is one of the main causes while other victims state that they’ve never been exposed to asbestos. WDPM is an uncommon condition marked by fluid build-up in the abdominal area. However, the prognosis for WDPM is much higher than any other form of mesothelioma as it’s not only considered benign, but it also doesn’t spread to different areas of the body.Treatment consists of draining the fluid, and in severe cases, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Most people who receive treatment beat the condition. Studies show in the majority of cases, the tumors don’t return after treatment.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), asbestos-related lung cancer is diagnosed more than any other type of asbestos-related illness. Up to 10,000 asbestos-related lung cancer fatalities occur in the United States each year. Asbestos-related lung cancer occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become stuck in the lungs. After years of being lodged in the lungs, these fibers will eventually cause cell damage and form tumors. Per the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the higher amount of fibers lodged in the lungs, the higher risk that the victim will develop lung cancer.Smoking can also play a part asbestos-related lung cancer. If the victim is a smoker, the chances of developing lung cancer triples. In many instances, lung cancer related to smoking can get confused with asbestos-related lung cancer. Because of this, the Helinski Criteria was created in order to help determine if lung cancer is asbestos-related or from other forms. The Helinski Criteria mandates that the lung cancer must have developed at least 10 years after asbestos exposure, that a high percentage of asbestos must be found in the lungs, and that the victim must have had prolonged and a high amount of exposure to asbestos.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory illness characterized by blocked airways. COPD mainly affects smokers, but people exposed to asbestos and other dangerous substances are also at risk. In fact, studies suggest at least 15% of all COPD cases are associated with work-related activities, such as inhaling asbestos fibers while at a job site.COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. It manifests itself as either chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Those with COPD often suffer from a persistent, hacking cough, accompanied by sputum. They may also experience difficulty while breathing, fatigue, weight loss, and tightness in the chest. COPD affects an estimated 24 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
There is no cure for COPD. It can, however, be managed by a variety of treatments, including bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, and, in extreme cases, oxygen therapy. People with COPD can also take preventive measures such as avoiding exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and other pollutants.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a medical condition caused by exposure to harmful pollutants and toxics as well as underlying disorders. Asbestosis is the medical condition associated with ILD. Regardless of how ILD develops, all cases are marked with excessive and irreversible lung scarring. Although treatment can’t reverse the lung scarring, it can help prevent additional scarring and reduce the risks of additional medical complications.Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is a build-up of liquid between the tissues that lie between the lungs and the chest cavity. Usually, the body makes a small amount of fluid to lubricate the pleural lining that surrounds the lungs. However, lung injuries and/or diseases can cause the formation of abnormal build-ups of pleural fluid. These pleural effusions can make breathing difficult because their weight pushes in or displaces lung tissue.Pleural effusions by themselves are not life-threatening, but the conditions that create them are, such as mesothelioma. Although the effusions will usually resolve within three months or so, they have the tendency to recur frequently. Treatment options include medications and thoracoscopic surgery, which entails draining the excessive fluid.
Other Cancers
Although mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are the most prevalent diseases concerning asbestos, other forms of cancers can also occur. Gastrointestinal cancers are specifically of concern to doctors as more information about asbestos-related cancers surface. According to the EWG, gastrointestinal cancers along with asbestos-related lung cancers have killed over 200,000 people since the late 70s. Asbestos can also affect other body organs that can potentially turn cancerous, such as the breasts, colon, kidneys, esophagus, throat, ovaries, and prostate.Victims contract other forms of cancers the same way as mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer: ingestion or inhalation of asbestos which usually occurs after prolonged exposure.
Asbestosis Guide
Asbestosis is a disease that affects the tissues of the lungs with scarring, making it extremely difficult to breathe. The disease moves slowly but gets worse as times goes on. Some victims may feel no symptoms at all while others may experience a range of serious effects, which closely mimic mesothelioma symptoms.As with all asbestos-related diseases, victims of asbestosis usually contracted the disease and experiencing prolonged exposure to asbestos, typically while working at job sites prior to the early 80s that used the mineral. Asbestos was commonly used in pipes, floors, shingles, cement, and as insulation before it was banned from production and shipment. However, by the time production and shipping of asbestos stopped, several thousand victims had already been exposed to so much that their health was already in poor condition.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Causes of Asbestosis
Asbestosis is almost exclusively caused by the fibers of asbestos getting caught in the lungs. When you breathe in asbestos, you run the risk of tiny, fine fibers getting lodged in your lungs. This almost always happens after long-term overexposure to asbestos, but in rare cases, it can happen to those who have only had short-term exposure.Although mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis closely resemble each other, it’s important to remember that while mesothelioma is a disease in which cancerous cells build up on several different body parts (most typically, the lungs), asbestosis is an illness in which scar tissue develops on the lungs.
Asbestosis Prognosis
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), asbestosis can last a lifetime and can also be the cause of death. There were over 3,000 deaths between 1999 through 2004 in the United States as a result of asbestosis. In most cases, asbestosis victims will eventually need an oxygen tank in order to breathe.How severe asbestosis is all depends upon how long a victim has been exposed to asbestos and how much many of the fibers were inhaled. Unfortunately, it can take decades for symptoms to show up, if at all. If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Asbestosis
As aforementioned, some asbestosis victims may not experience many symptoms, and almost all victims won’t experience symptoms until decades later. The most common warning signs include:- Chest tightness and pain
- Difficulty in breathing with shortness of breath
- An odd crackle-type sound when inhaling
- Appetite changes such as loss of appetite
Unfortunately, the warning signs of asbestosis mimic allergies, the common cold, and/or the flu, and victims may prolong a doctor visit. However, getting immediate medical treatment can possibly help you battle the disease much more effectively it’s detected as soon as possible.
In order to be diagnosed with asbestosis, a physician typically takes x-rays of the chest, along with performing a biopsy and a complete physical exam. During the biopsy, a surgeon will remove a tiny portion of the lung tissues in order to search for asbestos fibers.
Treatment for Asbestosis
It’s important to understand that although there is no cure for asbestosis, there are a variety of treatments available so that victims can still enjoy and prolong their lives. In many instances, asbestosis and mesothelioma treatment options are similar.Depending on the severity of the disease, physicians may recommend several options, including an entire lung transplant, oral and physical therapy, flu shots, aerosol medicine, and more. Physical and oral therapy may include exercises that help ease pain and remove mucous.
Living with Asbestosis
Aside from medical treatments, there is a variety of self-help methods you can use in order to live more successfully with asbestosis. Starting a healthy diet plan, first and foremost, will start you on the right path. A healthy diet should consists of plenty of fruits of fruits and vegetables while limiting salt intake, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Diseases Registry (ATSDR). Additionally, unless specified otherwise by your physician, you should drink at least seven to eight glasses of water per day.Along with a proper diet, asbestosis victims should always get enough rest. ATSDR suggest getting at least eight hours of sleep per night and light naps to reduce your chances of getting too tired.
Asbestosis victims must also try their best to keep away from bacteria and germs. Wash your hands as much as possible and try not to be in large crowds too much, if possible. In addition, stay indoors if pollution and/or smog are at a high point, and avoid getting too close to cleaning supplies that contain aerosol, gasoline fumes, and other irritants that can flare up your lungs.
Furthermore, ATSDR recommends keeping a journal in which you can track down your symptoms and things that may have triggered pain. Pay close attention to breathing difficulties and how long each bout lasts. Be sure to share your information with your physician.
Asbestosis Lawsuits
In the early 1980s, the state of New Jersey experienced the first mass tort lawsuit after several victims and family members of deceased victims came forward to file wrongful death and personal injury claims. The lawsuits were so significant that the majority of the New Jersey judicial system. This was the start of what would become standard in courts across the nation as more and more victims came forward. The plaintiffs in these cases were all exposed asbestos, particularly raw asbestos, which lead to asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases.Asbestosis cases have not been limited solely to the United States. For example, in 1984, and Australian attorney helped over 300 workers fight for compensation after being exposed to asbestos at the Wittenoom mill. Wittenoom is a national park in Western Australia, yet what was once a beautiful park is now known as a place of suffering after thousands were exposed to asbestos while mining in the area.
In another Australian lawsuit, several victims and family members came forward after being exposed to asbestos in the La Trobe Valley, where the State Electricity Commission of Virginia (SECV) employed workers in their power stations. During construction of the power stations, employees were working daily while being subjected to large amounts of asbestos. As a result, a good portion of the workers were later diagnosed with asbestosis.
Asbestos Exposure
Unfortunately,asbestos exposure occurs in an array of places. Even today, many people are still being exposed to asbestos through old buildings and houses that were built prior to the early to mid 1980s. However, the majority of asbestos-related diseases stem from prolonged exposure which typically happened at job sites.If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, now is the time to take the first steps in determining what you may be eligible for. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
Shipyards
Since asbestos has a strong ability to prevent corrosion and resist heat and fire, it was frequently used to build ships. From boiler insulation, hot water, pipes, and more, asbestos was used for a variety of reasons on ships, and in many times in areas that were not well ventilated. The end result is that thousands of ship workers have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.The highest majority of victims are those who were on ships during the Korean War and World War II. During that time, doctors and scientists were uninformed of the devastating effects that asbestos exposure caused. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the dangers of asbestos were thoroughly investigated and taken more seriously.Most ship workers exposed to asbestos have been Americans. Over 4 million Americans worked on ships during the World War II era and many of them worked as asbestos insulators.
California is the leading state for the most diagnosed cases of asbestos cancer. Along with having an overabundance of natural asbestos deposits in the state, California is also one of the largest coastlines in North America, making it a convenient place to have an array of shipyards.
Power Plants
Asbestos was frequently used in power plants because of its ability to endure extremely high temperatures while preventing fires. It was used to cover an array of machinery, pipes, boilers, and other products. This continued on through the early 1980s even though the dangerous effects of asbestos was already well-known.Many power plant workers chose to wear protective gear and clothing to help avoid too much exposure, but even with protection, total asbestos exposure was unavoidable. Unfortunately, there were several major power plants that used asbestos spread throughout almost every state in the United States.
Metal Works Industry
Asbestos was used widely in factory machines because of its fireproof insulation. As a result, many welders, steel mill employees, blacksmiths, and aluminum and iron factory employees experienced prolonged exposure. In addition to factory machines using asbestos, most plants were made using asbestos, as well as many of the products that employees used.Metal workers would typically spend several hours per day working in plants and factories that were covered in asbestos. In turn, these workers have a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Construction
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction work is not only one of most dangerous occupations in the world, but workers also have a high risk of asbestos exposure. Even with strict regulations on asbestos use, many construction workers frequently work on homes and buildings that were constructed prior to the EPA’s regulations. This means that even today, construction workers faces asbestos hazards.Construction work encompasses a variety of different jobs functions, most of which come with the risk of asbestos exposure, including:
- Tearing down walls
- Home repairs
- Sanding, dusting
- Cutting through wood
- Carpenty and drywall work
- Roofing
- Setting and cutting tile, and more
- Firefighters
Similar to construction workers, firefighters also have one of the most dangerous occupations. They’re also still likely to face asbestos exposure in homes and buildings that were built with the dengerous mineral prior to the EPA’s strict regulations.
Firefighters today may not know that they’ve developed an asbestos-related illness until decades later, sometimes up to 50 years later. It’s crucial that firefighters always get regular medical check ups.
Schools and Homes
According the the EPA, there are over 130,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States that contain asbestos. Since the typical age of a school building is over 40 years old, millions of children and teachers are exposed each year to a slight amount of asbestos. Only schools built after the late 1970s are asbestos-free.Today, schools must be inspected every three years in order to develop an effective management plan for asbestos exposure. However, per the National Center for Health Statistics, school teachers, specifically elementary school teachers, run a risk of developing mesothelioma.
Older homes built prior to the early 1980s may contain excessive amounts of asbestos. Prior to the EPA’s regulations, numerous manufacturers and companies used asbestos heavily in insulation, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, appliances, caulking, window seals, walls, paints, and more.
Millions of homes across the nation that were built with asbestos-containing materials are still occupied by families. It’s extremely important to seek the help of a state-certified asbestos inspector if you live in an older home, as asbestos fibers cannot be detected by the human eye. Until then, make sure to never start any renovations or heavy-duty cleaning projects as these activities can stir up asbestos fibers.
Oil Refineries
Not only do oil refinery workers face occupational hazards because of the highly flammable materials used, but many workers had to also face prolonged asbestos exposure. Prior to the latter portion of the 1970s, asbestos was used to insulate a multitude of things in oil refineries, ranging from ovens, roasters, tanks, boilers, furnaces, pumps, and more. Oil refinery workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, and although it helped them to prevent fires and burns, it also severely affected their health.Although many oil refinery employers knew of the dangers of asbestos, workers were still exposed daily until a law mandated in the United States in the late 1970s eliminated its use. However, by that time, the majority of damage had been done, and many workers now face an array of mesothelioma symptoms due to their prolonged exposure.
Paper Mills
The paper manufacturing industry has long used asbestos-containing materials in paper mills. These facilities, especially older paper mills, are full of equipment that generates high temperatures or requires friction-reducing materials. Asbestos-containing materials are still used in paper-manufacturing machinery, such as drying machines.Older paper mills also used asbestos in insulation in boilers and pipes. In addition, these mills were built with cement, paint, ceiling and floor tiles, roofing materials, countertops, and siding which contained asbestos.
Children’s Products
As recently as 2015, asbestos was found in certain brands of children’s crayons and toy products. Per the Environmental Working Group Action Fund (EWG), the following crayon brands, found with asbestos, were shelved and on display in a number of popular stores:- Saban Power Rangers Super Megaforce Crayons
- Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Crayons
- Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crayons
- Amscan Crayons
The following children’s toy products were found to have asbestos:
- EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit
- Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit
In 2009, another children’s product, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation toy kit, was found to contain asbestos. Television station CBS and a number of major retailers settled a class-action asbestos lawsuit involving the product. It’s since been removed from store shelves and is no longer manufactured.
Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
Occupational and direct environmental exposure to asbestos are the principal means in which the toxic fibers enter the body and trigger asbestos-related illnesses. However, people can be exposed to asbestos in other ways, usually through second-hand exposure, also known as secondary exposure.In contrast to occupational exposure, which tends to affect male workers who were employed in shipyards, power plants, and other enterprises that used asbestos in large quantities, second-hand exposure is more prevalent in women and children.
Secondary exposure generally occurred when men returned home from work in industrial job sites or other places where asbestos exposure took place and brought the fibers along on their work clothes. Consequently, women who came in contact with the asbestos-covered clothes while cleaning or handling them created small clouds of the fibers and inhaled them.
Children were also exposed to asbestos fibers when they hugged or played with their fathers, brothers, or family friends who unwittingly brought asbestos fibers home on their coveralls or other clothing worn for work.
Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure
Symptoms of asbestos exposure may differ according to what part of the body the asbestos fibers have attacked.Pleural exposure is the most common type, with symptoms consisting of:
- Coughing and hacking, usually with phlegm
- Strong feelings of the chest tightening
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pneumonia (in some cases)
- Weight loss
- Crackling noises in the lungs when inhaling
- Peritoneal symptoms of asbestos exposure include:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Blood clotting
- Swelling in the abdominal area
- Anemia
- Bowel blockage
- Pericardial symptoms of asbestos exposure include:
- Ireegular heartbeat
- Heart murmurs
- Coughing
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Thickening of the pericardium
- Difficulties with breathing, especially when lying flat
Asbestos Manufacturers
Dating back over numerous decades, many companies immensely profited off of asbestos by manufacturing it to thousands of companies. Although there are now strict regulations, numerous manufacturers still use the life-threatening mineral in their products. In some countries, mass production of asbestos-containing products is still happening today, even with a wealth of information about on how hazardous it is.If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for those who are victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
The History of Asbestos Manufacturing
During the 1800s, after learning how asbestos greatly reduced heat and fire, a myriad of businesses began manufacturing it for profit. In the beginning of its manufacturing days, many companies started using asbestos in chemicals and electrics. However, it soon spread to trains, auto parts, vessels, appliances, common household products, and much more. In fact, the majority of homes built in the United States prior to the 1970s were built with at least one asbestos-containing product.Soon after the asbestos manufacturing business boomed, numerous business began noticing the adverse effects of asbestos when employees and contractors started exhibiting illnesses. Yet, the asbestos industry was lucrative, and instead of providing warnings to workers and protecting them, many companies swept the health warnings under the rug so that their businesses would keep thriving.
One company in particular, Johns Manville, conducted their own internal investigations. After the results proved that asbestos was causing injuries and dangerous illness, the company hid the evidence and continued business as usual. In fact, decades would pass before their hidden internal investigations would surface.
However, by the 1960s, physicians and scientists were gathering their own information on asbestos risks, and by 1964, a clear link between asbestos exposure and cancer was identified. According to research, a plethora of people died from asbestos exposure from 1943 to 1962 after working around asbestos and ingesting its harmful fibers. Yet, there were still no regulations in place and asbestos manufacturers continued to supply it to various companies across the world.
It wasn’t until 1970 that strict regulations were finally placed on asbestos manufacturing. Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which prohibited many of the ways that asbestos was manufactured and used. Over the next several years, companies began to phase out asbestos use, but workers had been exposed for so long that many had already developed life-threatening diseases.
List of Asbestos Products Manufacturers
A myriad of asbestos manufacturers played a part in contributing to dangerous illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer:- 3M
- ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
- Armstrong Cork Company (AC&S)
- A.P. Green Industries
- The Abex Corporation
- Amatex Corporation
- Armstrong World Industries
- Babcock, Wilcox & Company
- Bell Asbestos Mines
- Bestwall Gypsum
- BorgWarner Incorporated
- C. E. Thurston Company
- Celotex Corporation
- CertainTeed Corporation
- Combustion Engineering (CE)
- Congoleum Corporation
- Crown Cork & Seal
- Daimler-Chrysler
- Dana Corporation
- EaglePicher Industries Inc.
- Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company
- Federal-Mogul Corporation
- Flexitallic
- The Ford Motor Company
- Foseco
- Foster Wheeler
- General Aniline and Film (GAF) Corporation
- Garlock Sealing Technologies
- General Electric
- General Motors (GM)
- Georgia-Pacific
- Gold Bond
- H.K. Porter Inc.
- Harbison-Walker Refractories Company
- Honeywell Heating Specialty Co.
- J.H. France Refractories Co., Inc.
- J.T. Thorpe and Son, Inc.
- John Crane Company
- Johns Manville
- Kaiser Aluminum
- Kelly-Moore
- Kentile Floors
- Leslie Controls
- Lincoln Electric Company
- M.H. Detrick Company
- Malleable Iron Range Co.
- Mergenthaler Linotype Company
- Mobil Oil Corporation
- National Gypsum
- The Nicolet Company
- North American Refractories Company (NARCO)
- Owens Corning Corporation
- Philadelphia Asbestos Corporation
- Pittsburgh Corning
- Porter Hayden Company
- Rapid American Corporation (Philip Carey Manufacturing Corp.)
- Raybestos Industries
- Rock Wool Manufacturing Company
- Rutland Fire Clay Company
- Shook and Fletcher
- Synkoloid Company
- The Flintkote Company
- Union Asbestos and Rubber Company (UNARCO)
- Union Carbide
- W.R. Grace & Co.
- Western MacArthur Company
- Westinghouse Electric Company
Although these companies were regulated many years ago, former workers, spouses, and adult children of people who worked around asbestos are still being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses at an alarming rate. In fact, experts speculate that the worst has yet to happen and that the rate of mesothelioma diagnoses will continue to rise.
Because of the sheer amount of deaths and illnesses caused by asbestos, many of the aforementioned companies have set up asbestos trust funds to help compensate future victims. Other companies were sued for millions. In fact, in 2002 alone, over 700,000 plaintiffs filed asbestos lawsuits against more than 8,000 asbestos manufacturers.
Occupations Associated with Asbestos and Mesothelioma Cancer
The widespread use of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during the 19th and 20th Centuries encompassed a wide swath of industries. Starting in Industrial Revolution-era England, any manufacturing enterprise which required furnaces, steam engines, foundries, or depended on processes which involved high temperatures incorporated large amounts of heat-resistant asbestos to protect its facilities from excessive heat or destructive fires.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
As Western Europe and the United States became more industrialized and more factories and power plants were built, the use of asbestos increased in massive proportions. By the turn of the 20th Century, asbestos was used in power generation plants, steel mills, shipyards, automobile factories, and the construction industry. Eventually, asbestos was used even to make certain clothing fire-retardant.
The ubiquitous nature of asbestos in American industry affected almost every occupation associated with manufacturing or power generation. As early as the 19th Century, workers in the minerals extraction business were exposed to asbestos fibers even if they were mining for gold, silver, iron, or other materials.
In Minnesota, for instance, iron miners would inadvertently disturb naturally-occurring asbestos deposits when they dug into the earth of the Iron Hills region in their quest for rich iron ore. When the rich iron deposits were depleted and Minnesota miners turned their attention to extracting an iron-bearing mineral called taconite, they also ran into adjacent deposits of asbestos.
Mining
Deliberate mining of asbestos contributed to the incidence of mesothelioma in workers involved with mineral extraction. Until asbestos mining was curtailed in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s, large numbers of miners employed by W. R. Grace in the vicinity of Libby, Montana to extract asbestos were also exposed to the carcinogenic minerals. Asbestos from Libby were sold and shipped to every state in the country, exposing millions of unwitting Americans to the toxic fibers which cause mesothelioma.Mining, of course, is not the only occupation associated with mesothelioma. During the peak era of asbestos use in the United States, from the 1920s to the early 1970s, a wide variety of workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis at their job sites.
During this half-century in U.S. history, which saw a sharp rise in electrical power use and the dominance of heavy industry, worksites were built with large amounts of asbestos to prevent or minimize damage from fires or made many products loaded with asbestos-containing materials.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding was one of the biggest industrial customers of the asbestos industry throughout much of the 20th Century. Fire at sea is one of the most feared dangers by ships’ captains and crews, so until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma in the early 1970s, most vessels built in U.S. shipyards contained large amounts of the carcinogenic fibers.Asbestos and ACMs were used in nearly every component of a ship, from the crows’ nest on the superstructure to the ship’s keel. Pipes, engineering spaces, boilers, and the insulated wiring of a vessel’s electrical system contained some form of asbestos.
As a result, shipfitters, stevedores, boiler room personnel, repair yard workers, engineering officers, and other personnel afloat or ashore were constantly exposed to asbestos fibers stirred up by even the most routine activities on a ship or a dockyard.
Military
Military personnel, especially those who served during World War II, Korea, and much of the Vietnam War were also disproportionately exposed to asbestos during their active duty stints. Veterans over the age of 65 are in one of the largest demographic groups diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.Since the U.S. Navy had the same concerns as civilian maritime enterprises regarding fires at sea, this branch of the armed forces was a major purchaser of asbestos and all of its ships contained large amounts of the fire- and heat-resistant materials.
Consequently, naval personnel and members of the armed services which traveled on U.S. Navy ships or passed through naval facilities in World War II and the Cold War era tend to be diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.
Personnel with occupational specialties analogous to those in the civilian shipbuilding industry, such as navy repair yard workers and sailors assigned to a ship’s engineering division suffered the most exposure. As a result, they tend to develop mesothelioma in larger numbers than other naval veterans.
Paper Mills
People who worked in paper mills were exposed to asbestos daily, and for long periods of time over a span of several decades. Paper mills require pulping materials, preparing them, bleaching them, refining them, coating and drying them, and then ultimately packaging them.While doing these tasks, employees and contractors across the nation were working in buildings that were insulated heavily with asbestos. Machinery and products used to make paper were also ridden with asbestos.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the majority of asbestos illness victims contracted the disease while working around equipment in paper mills that contained asbestos, specifically boilers. Since operating a boiler requires the use of high heating, asbestos was used to for its heat and fire-resistant properties.
Additionally, simple daily, routine maintenance of the machinery and equipment in paper mills places arrays of workers at risk. For instance, every time a machine was cleaned or maintained, particles and dust would become airborne, containing asbestos fibers.
Several lawsuits from former paper mill employees have ensued for several years, including one plaintiff, Henry Barabin, who won a $10 million lawsuit. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill for over 30 years.
RailRoad Workers
Although airlines and automobiles are the most popular method of traveling these days, railroads are still used extensively for transporting good. The use of railroads and trains dates back for several hundred years, and almost every railroad was built using asbestos.The use of asbestos during railroad work so prevalent that almost every employee and contractor faced risks. For example, repair workers were exposed to asbestos fibers and dust each time maintenance was needed as they risked inhaling asbestos fibers that was used in crates, brake linings, clutches and more.
Inspectors also faced the same dangers each time a train and its parts were inspected. In fact, anyone around railroads for extended periods of time prior to the ban of asbestos use is urged to seek medical attention immediately.
Construction Workers
Construction workers represent a major portion of mesothelioma victims. Construction work consists of a wide array of different job functions, such as bricklayers, crane operators, roofers, masons, demolition crews, and more.Each job function came with the inherent risk of asbestos exposure. For instance, while one worker faces asbestos exposure via shingles or drywall, another faced exposure from electrical panels. In fact, asbestos was used extensively in almost every construction project in the United States prior to the EPA regulations.
Factory Workers
Before new technology provided better working environments, factory workers were not only exposed to asbestos, but the risk was greater than many other jobs as most workers dealt with poor ventilation and overcrowded assembly lines.While working alongside each other assembly lines, a plethora of factory workers handled arrays of asbestos-containing products on a daily basis. In addition to handling products the asbestos, the lathes that spun the products and conveying belts that moved products down the assembly lines were also made with asbestos, in order to prevent friction.
Even if workers were not a part of the assembly line, they still risked asbestos exposure by simply being in a factory. Office workers, crew leaders, machinists, and foremen were all at risk of the hazards since asbestos so was prominent in factories across the nation.
Firefighters
Firefighters have one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. They are the heros that rescue people and risk their own lives while trying to put out burning buildings and homes.Aside from the possibility of getting severely injured or even killed while on the job, firefighters also run the risk of ingesting asbestos, which can lead to toxic illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.
Insulation Workers
Many homes and commercial buildings were once insulated with asbestos-containing insulation. In fact, prior to EPA’s strict regulations, asbestos was used in most homes and buildings built in the United States.Insulation workers who installed and/or repaired insulation typically didn’t wear the proper protective gear when working, which in turn places this group of workers at risk of developing an asbestos illness.
Plumbers
Plumbers often repair pipes that were built with asbestos. Asbestos was used frequently in pipe coverings in order to prevent extremely high temperatures. Additionally, plumbers may work awith and around compound, pipe block, cement, gaskets, and welding rods that were built with asbestos.Electricians
Electricians are responsible for an arrays of duties that can constantly expose them to asbestos, including installing, repairing, and maintaining wiring that contains asbestos-filled insulation. They also have the responsibility of cutting through walls and other areas filled with asbestos.Plant Workers
Of all the industries where asbestos was frequently, plant factories ranks among one of the highest. Plant workers were exposed to the toxic mineral through sanding, cutting, and smelting materials, as well and working around asbestos-containing equipment and machinery.Textile Workers
Textile workers are also among the many workers that were once exposed to high amounts of asbestos prior to the EPA’s strict regulation on its use. To make matters worse, most textile workers physically handled asbestos on a daily basis, releasing toxic asbestos fibers into the air.Auto Mechanics
Auto mechanics not only faced asbestos exposure in the past while working, but they’re still at risk when working on brakes, clutches, and other vehicle parts today. Some manufacturers still use asbestos in their products, and many older cars still have asbestos-containing component. There are currently numerous asbestos lawsuits against automobile parts manufacturers, many of which are popular, nationwide companies still in business today.Post Office Workers
A number of post office buildings were constructed with asbestos-containing products and materials. Not only were postal workers in the past in danger of asbestos exposure, but current workers are also at risk when the buildings are not properly maintained. In recent years, a variety of post offices across the nation have faced hefty OSHA fines for failing to follow required asbestos regulations.Carpenters
Carpentry work still remains a high-risk occupation for asbestos exposure. Although most carpentry products manufacturers don’t use asbestos anymore, carpenters still run risks of exposure when renovating cabinetry, rooms, and working on other projects that were originally constructed with asbestos. Part of their job requirements may be to sand, cut through, and remove asbestos products that contain asbestos, such as insulation and tiles.In the past, a good number of carpenters would go home covered in asbestos dust, putting family members at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases via second-hand exposure. Carpentry work remains an occupation associated with a high risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Boiler Workers
Boilermakers, also called boiler workers, typically work in extremely high-heat environments and around equipment that was protected from heat and fire by asbestos products. In many instances, a boiler worker was required to deliver asbestos-containing materials to processing areas, dispose of asbestos-containing ingredients, and work in cramped spaces in which asbestos dust permeated throughout the arit.The long-term effects, of course, have left numerous former and retired boilermakers battling life-threatening illnesses, specifically malignant mesothelioma, the disease boilermakers have “been most” diagnosed with.
The Asbestos Industry Cover-ups
Although it may be unbeknownst to many, the dangers of using asbestos were documented well before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated its production and use. In fact, documents show that railroad companies knew as far back as the 1930s that asbestos was dangerous and could cause an array of medical issues, such as lung cancer and asbestosis.Even further back in the 1800s, physicians were linking lung diseases to prolonged asbestos exposure in factories. Yet, when companies that relied on the hazardous mineral became aware of its dangers, many did nothing to prevent their workers from developing fatal diseases. In fact, an array of businesses carefully hid any information that would alert employees, contractors, and others to the risk they took each time they were exposed to asbestos.
If you or a loved have mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in trusts set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
The Great Cover-ups
In 1928, the medical term asbestosis was coined by physicians as a condition affecting the lungs after extensive asbestos exposure. Not long after, an aggregation of businesses that used asbestos and asbestos-containing products began talking internally about its use and its detrimental effects. Yet, even after consulting and having group meetings regarding the risks that asbestos exposure poses, they didn’t stop using the dangerous mineral. In addition, an overflow of companies were found to have altered the insurance documentations that warned of the pitfalls of asbestos exposure. Even those these companies hid the evidence and knew of the inherent risks, many didn’t even reduce the production and use of asbestos in the slightest bit.However, by the 1930s, victims started filing lawsuits against their employers after being diagnosed with asbestosis. Companies began settling the lawsuits on a condition that no more lawsuits would come about regarding asbestos.
After the initial asbestos lawsuits, several employees underwent health screenings at the consent of their employers. Yet, it’s been documented that a plethora of employers once again covered up the evidence by altering the health study results. However, it didn’t go unnoticed by physicians, who then were discovering that not only did asbestos cause lung issues and difficulty with breathing, but also lung cancer. When these companies became aware of the findings, more extensive plans of hiding evidence followed. For example, supervisors and managers were told to never talk of the hidden dangers of asbestos to employees.
In 1943, after a six-year study and research on asbestos, Dr. LeRoy Gardner of the Saranac Laboratory in New York, provided the Johns-Manville Corporation the detailed results of his research. Asbestos was found likely to be carcinogenic, meaning that the mineral is extremely dangerous. At the Johns-Manville Corporation’s request, none of the findings were made public, nor available to any of the workers that were employed at Johns-Manville. In addition, the asbestos industry ensured that Dr. Gardner’s results were suppressed by altering and creating a false report.
More Warnings Issued
It wasn’t until 1964 that asbestos was pinned officially as one of the causes of lung cancer, asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma. Although this information was backed by the American Medical Association, companies still continued to alter and hide the information. In other instances, company owners made blatant statements promoting asbestos. Records show that in 1966, the director of purchasing at Bendix, an asbestos manufacturing company, stated, “If you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos, why not die from it?”Regulating Asbestos
By 1971, it had already been over 40 years since the first asbestos-related lawsuits. With mass coverups including companies persuading publications not to write about the dangers of asbestos, it took entirely too long for asbestos to be recognized as a dangerous product. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finally took notice and regulated the use of asbestos. At first, OSHA mandated an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for exposure to asbestos dust in December of 1974. Shortly after, the temporary standard became a permanent standard. Finally, the details regarding the dangers of asbestos became widespread, and it became obvious that a plethora of businesses had been suppressing this information for decades.The dangers of asbestos became so prevalent that in 1979, the EPA announced the consideration of regulating asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Yet, after a stampede of protests stating that too many people would be out of a job, the EPA decided not to pursue the regulations. Nonetheless, after a 10-year study on the dangers of asbestos and how it affects humans, the EPA finally banned the use of all asbestos in 1989. Members of the asbestos industry, however, appealed the ban, and unfortunately, they won. Consequently, although asbestos can still be used, there are a plethora of mandated rules regarding an employee’s exposure as well as several products, building, and items it can never be used on.
Reasons for Industry Cover-ups
Even though it was established that asbestos was dangerous decades before the EPA’s regulation, companies, as previously mentioned, continued to stifle any information regarding the hazards of the mineral. Even after physicians, scientists, and even asbestos companies provided details of the dangers after conducting studies, companies still wouldn’t scale back on asbestos usage or inform workers of the dangers.The reason behind the great cover-ups simply comes down to money. If the production of and the use of asbestos was eliminated, many companies would lose the fortune they built. In fact, in another documented statement, when an executive of a corporation that used asbestos was asked if he would let his workers die if it meant continuing to use the mineral, he replied, “ Yes. We save a lot of money that way.” In other words, the profits of the businesses that used asbestos was more important than the lives of the people who helped these businesses survive.
Asbestos Laws & Exposure Regulations Guide
Even before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first official warnings about the carcinogenic dangers of asbestos in the1970s, asbestos exposure has been linked with an array of fatal health problems including malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other types of dangerous diseases. As a result, state and federal asbestos laws have been set into place for handling such issues as buildings that still contain asbestos, employees who still work around asbestos, building managers and owners of buildings that contain asbestos, cleanup sites, restricting mining of asbestos, and more.If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for victims to asbestos-related diseases. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
NESHAP
The asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) was created by the EPA in order to decrease the amount of asbestos released into the air during activities that involve professional workers who handle materials containing asbestos.
After asbestos was determined by the EPA to be a hazardous pollutant and extremely dangerous to health in 1971, NESHAP was created and amended on several different occasions until its latest version was released in 1995. In addition to asbestos, NESHAP also regulates six other hazardous air pollutants, including:
- Mercury
- Beryllium
- Vinyl Chloride
- Arsenic
- Benzene
- Radon
In regards to asbestos, NESHAP laws apply to all buildings that were created using asbestos-containing materials, including schools, office buildings, apartments, department stores, auto repair shops, churches, hospitals, and more. The only exception to NESHAP regulations is residential homes and buildings with less than four dwellings. Otherwise, all housing complexes must abide by NESHAP and other state asbestos regulations. In addition, NESHAP rules apply to any industrial, institutional, or commercial buildings:
Schools
Prior to the 1970s, most schools in the United States were built using asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). A large number of these schools still exist today and as a result, federal laws mandate that each of these buildings follow a series of required asbestos management plans:- The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA): AHERA requires all schools that were built using asbestos materials to inspect each building for asbestos materials and to come up with a proper management plan to prevent any asbestos hazards.
- Any employee, contractor, or workers in school buildings built with asbestos materials must become accredited with The Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan.
- If the renovation of a school results in stirring large deposits of friable asbestos fibers, the school must be demolished.
- School districts must provide annual notifications to parents, employees, and others who are in the building for long periods that give updates on management plans and any actions that will be taken against asbestos.
- There must a qualified and designated individual who ensures that notifications and management plans are implemented correctly.
- Areas in the school buildings that contain asbestos must be periodically inspected.
- Custodians and school janitors must be provided and complete asbestos-awareness training.
- Both public and nonprofit schools must comply with all regulations and rules of NESHAP.
Laws For Building Managers and Owners
- If any business owner or manager plans to renovate or demolish their building, they must first get it approved by their state’s agency.
- Any worker hired to help renovate or demolish a building must be certified and accredited through a program such as the EPA Model Accreditation Plan (MAP).
- Owners, managers, and anyone who works in building containing asbestos must take advantage of EPA’s Operation and Maintenance Program (O&M). O&M is a plan that provides training on cleaning, inspections, and work practices for those who are in building for longs periods that contain asbestos.
- Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, NESHAP mandates that building managers and owners must follow a certain set of guidelines to control the asbestos in their buildings. These laws different from school laws as school laws have their own unique requirements.
Laws for Asbestos Professionals
In any instance that a site, building, school, home, or any other entity containing asbestos needs to be repaired, remodeled, or destroyed, a certified asbestos professional must be to the one to do the job. Asbestos professionals have the required knowledge and training in order to work around asbestos-laden materials. Workers, contractors, inspectors, planners, and designers must all undergo stringent asbestos training before working on sites that contain asbestos materials. Once they have completed training, there are several strict mandated laws that they must adhere to:- Anyone working around asbestos must always be allowed proper ventilation.
- Anyone worker whose exposed to asbestos while renovating, repairing, or remodeling, must be allowed several breaks without being exposed for too long. The employer must also provide hygiene products and protective clothing to each worker.
- Warning signs and instructions must always be visible around work areas containing asbestos.
- Along with protective clothing, workers must have access to other protective equipment, such as respirators.
- Medical examinations must be provided to all workers who are in contact with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.
- Showers with hot water and other post-asbestos exposure safety precautions must be provided.
All of the aforementioned laws are protected by OSHA regulations and must be fully adhered to.
Unfortunately, the majority of these laws were implemented years after millions of workers had already been exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. As a result, thousands of those workers have already been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as lung cancer, asbestosis or asbestos cancer. Thousands more are expected to be diagnosed in the future.
According to state and federal laws, if you’ve been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with a disease after working in a place that contained asbestos, the responsible party could be one or any of the following:
- The business that manufactured the asbestos and/or the business that manufactured faulty protective gear and clothing.
- The owners of the facility where the work was done, and the contractors or subcontractors involved.
- In many instances, especially if a business or manufacturer has previous asbestos lawsuits, a trust fund may already be set in place for future cases. These types of lawsuits are almost always settled out of court before going to trial. An asbestos lawyer will be able to investigate and provide this information.
In the past, the most typical job sites and occupations that had an overabundance of asbestos materials were:
- Shipbuilding and ship repairs
- Asbestos distribution plants
- Commercial businesses
- Heating and Cooling repair professionals
- Brake and clutch repair (automotive repair)
- Paper mills
- Breweries (built before 1980)
- Pipefitting companies
- Sawmills
- Manufacturing plants
- Airports and military airfields
- Power plants
- Oil and chemical plants
- Steel plants
- Mining companies
- Roofing
- Construction
- Electrical repair jobs
- Insulation installation or removal
- Custodial jobs
- Welding
For more information see our articles on Asbestos Abatement and Asbestos Disposal.
