Asbestos Exposure

The research we do for our client's cases results in a large amount of pertinent and up to date information on asbestos, the asbestos industry,asbestos cancer and mesothelioma treatmentoptions. We have compiled that information here in an on-line information library. We hope that by providing this information, we create a valuable resource, which will benefit people who have access to it. This section will be updated regularly as we uncover new and important information.

There are a number of alternatives to using asbestos products when constructing a new home or commercial building, and many of these are considered to be "green" options, as they are good for the environment and are also easy on a budget. It is important to educate yourself as to how each alternative works before choosing which product to use. Our section on asbestos alternatives provides information about several popular and cost-effective options, all of which are safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

Asbestos exposure is known cause of cancer, asbestosis, and other respiratory disorders. When asbestos is inhaled the microscopic fibers lodge within the outer lung tissue layer known as the mesothelium. This thin layer of cells protects and lubricates the chest cavity and assists in maintaining normal organ function. Asbestos causes a sustained inflammation of these cells causing harmful scar tissue and plaques to develop on the surface. This scar tissue lays the foundation for cancerous cells to develop.

Additional Topics in this Section

Asbestos Products

Asbestos was used in thousands of products including insulation, pipe lining, gaskets, furnace coating, paint, drywall, and even home siding. Learn more about specific asbestos products in this comprehensive section.

Asbestos Companies

Asbestos was a primary ingredient in several of the products produced by these companies. While most stopped using asbestos once it was known to cause cancer, many workers were harmfully exposed prior to the national ban.

Asbestos Occupations

Virtually anyone who breathed asbestos dust. Exposures usually occur at major construction Jobsites, in shipyards, onboard navy vessels and during construction or renovation of commercial buildings. People in the vicinity of boilers and piping often are at risk. In addition, teachers, students, and other staff members who work in olderschool buildings may be at risk of exposure to asbestos products, such as ceiling or floor tiles. Equally at risk are families of these workers, as asbestos often was carried home on clothing.

Asbestos Sites by Type

Many American workers, across a variety of industries, were exposed to asbestos on the job. As a result, they are now at risk to develop mesothelioma cancer. We have organized a list of asbestos jobsites by type of industry to show where asbestos exposure may have taken place.

Asbestos Sites by State

We have compiled a comprehensive list of asbestos jobsites by state to illustrate where asbestos exposure may have occurred. If you worked at a jobsite where asbestos or asbestos containing products were used, you may be at risk to develop mesothelioma.

Asbestos Handling

Asbestos should only be handled by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor or someone with equal qualifications. Asbestos is known to cause cancer and other respiratory problems and should be handled with extreme caution to prevent inhalation.

Asbestos Removal

Those who contract asbestos removal must be licensed by their appropriate state and municipal authority and be well versed in best handling practice with asbestos and other toxic material.

Asbestos Contractors

Several industrial and home contractors regularly used asbestos products in the course of their jobsite duties. Learn more about specific asbestos contractors in this section.

Unions

We have compiled a comprehensive resource for union workers who developedmesothelioma as a result of on-the-job asbestos exposure. In recent years trade unions have rallied for the rights of workers who were unknowingly exposed to this dangerous material.

Don't Lose Your Rights!

It is very easy to lose your rights completely. Each state has its own set of deadlines, called statutes of limitation, for allowing victims of asbestos disease to file lawsuits. This means that there are strict deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits after becoming aware that you have an asbestos disease or after a loved one dies from an asbestos disease.

Sources

United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

United States Department of Labor - Safety and Health Topics - Asbestos
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/

National Cancer Institute - Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos