Asbestos Contamination in Kmart Fire

Can Building Fires Expose People to Asbestos?

Asbestos fibers boast exceptional heat resistance, which means they don’t burn in a conventional building fire, but can become airborne in the process. Therefore, any construction damage involving the presence of asbestos could be dangerous.

If an older building is dismantled in any way, it’s essential to exercise caution and avoid breathing in particles released into the air. This will reduce the potential for exposure and subsequent health risks.

Chrysotile	Crocidolite	Amosite	Anthophyllite	Actinolite	Tremolite

Understanding the History of Asbestos Use

For the longest time, asbestos was referred to as a “miracle mineral,” resistant to extreme heat and electrical currents, resilient, and strong, and easy to incorporate into numerous products. While the material promises unmatched building reinforcement and fireproofing, its fibers can spread and create public health issues.

Asbestos is now banned in many commercial uses, but the mineral remains a threat due to its presence in older structures, including in residential homes. If these buildings break down and degrade over time, or suddenly (such as in the Kmart fire), asbestos contamination is likely to result.

The latency period: asbestos-related diseases can take many decades to appear.

Most asbestos-related diseases have a significant latency period, meaning symptoms can remain dormant for many years and once they surface, diseases can be well-advanced. This, of course, does not imply the presence of asbestos fibers in building structures, wall paint, automotive parts, and roof shingles is not a concern. While the results are not always immediate, once symptoms surface, they tend to be severe and life-threatening.

Since asbestos can cause numerous deadly medical conditions, such as thickening and scarring of the lungs, mesothelioma, and ovary, lung, or larynx cancer, it’s essential to take precautions to limit exposure. If demoing or renovating an older structure, it’s always best to have it first tested by an asbestos auditor.

“All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans.” 3

Staying Safe: Learning the Dangers of Asbestos

Before you can protect yourself against asbestos, it’s vital to understand its real-time dangers. The highly flexible fibers of this mineral are ideal for corrosion, electrical, and heat resistance but can lead to the following diseases and injuries:

Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition, asbestosis presents with symptoms of shortness of breath, sudden weight loss, throat pain, and fatigue. The condition worsens with time and lacks a cure.

Pleural Plaques: This involves the thickening of tissues around the lungs, which can result in potentially deadly respiratory disease. Although pleural plaques are not life-threatening, they can worsen existing conditions or lead to significant breathing issues, reducing overall quality of life.

Mesothelioma: Since asbestos is a carcinogenic, long-term exposure to this mineral can cause mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause them to become embedded in the protective lining of the lungs, resulting in an increased risk of cancer.

Other Types of Cancer: Studies show that asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer as well as many other forms of the disease, including cancer of the kidneys, ovaries, larynx, and esophagus.  

Do You Qualify For Compensation?

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.

Asbestos doesn’t stay in one place, and it doesn’t discriminate.

Although asbestos mainly affects people living in contaminated spaces for long periods of time or those working in structures with asbestos, the mineral’s effects can also spread to people who haven’t had direct contact with it. Secondhand exposure commonly occurs when spouses and children of asbestos workers inadvertently come into contact with fibers on work clothes and boots or in family vehicles.

People who worked in these industries prior the mid-1980s have a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:

Construction	Factories	Foundries	Refineries	Shipyards	Mining / Milling
Demolition	Insulation	Steelworkers	Pipe Fitting	Shipbuilding	Mechanics
Roofing	Textiles	Iron workers	Boilers	Firefighting	Brake Repair
Flooring	Cement	Electricians	Gasket Repair	Railroad	HVAC

Unfortunately so do their families.

When Should You Take Action?

By now, you’ve learned the various health conditions that asbestos can cause. So, now let’s discuss when to take action. Typically, this mineral’s risk is high for people living in houses built between the 1920s and the 1970s.

Even lifelong smokers can collect compensation for asbestos damage.

Many of our clients believed they weren’t eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit because they were cigarette and cigar smokers. This isn’t true under the laws of many states.  Our database contains the medical evidence needed to show that smokers who are exposed to asbestos are far more likely to develop cancer than smokers who weren’t exposed to asbestos. Cigarettes and asbestos are far more dangerous than cigarettes or asbestos.

Even lifelong smokers can collect compensation for asbestos damage.

Many of our clients believed they weren’t eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit because hey were cigarette and cigar smokers. This isn’t true under the laws of many states.  Our database contains the medical evidence needed to show that smokers who are exposed to asbestos are far more likely to develop cancer than smokers who weren’t exposed to asbestos. Cigarettes and asbestos are far more dangerous than cigarettes or asbestos.

Since the majority of older homes don’t undergo asbestos-specific audits, it’s likely the fibers still remain within the walls and flooring. But, as discussed, asbestos fibers do not cause significant health hazards unless made friable. It’s only when these surfaces begin to corrode that they can travel into the air and be ingested.

If there is any concern that asbestos is present, it’s best to work with a licensed asbestos abatement company. Trained contractors can test for the presence of friable fibers and remove any, if necessary.

Over $30 Billion is still available (No lawsuit. No fees unless you receive money. No risk.) Stake your claim.

The Bottom Line on Asbestos Contamination

If an older building in your neighborhood catches fire, it’s critical to exercise caution. Keep yourself inside your home and close your doors and windows to protect your health. Moreover, contact your doctor if you experience strange symptoms. 

Remember, if you get diagnosed with asbestos illness, you deserve compensation. AsbestosClaims.law attorneys can step in and help you navigate the legal system so you can get the compensation you deserve. While this may not solve the problem entirely, funds can ease financial distress and improve your overall quality of life.

AsbestosClaims.Law

At AsbestosClaims.Law, our mission to secure compensation for asbestos victims is more than professional; it’s personal.

Our founder, Justinian C. Lane, understands the devastating impacts of asbestos firsthand.

Both his grandparents and father, all asbestos workers, passed away from asbestos-induced cancers without realizing their eligibility for asbestos lawsuits or other forms of compensation.

We aim to prevent such tragic oversights by informing and guiding victims and their families through their legal options. 

If you or your loved ones have suffered as a result of asbestos exposure, you could be eligible for considerable compensation. These funds could provide for medical treatments, asbestos removal services, and safeguard your health. 

In addition, asbestos trusts offer compensation without the need for a lawsuit, providing a quicker, simpler path to justice.

Reach out to us at [email protected] or (206) 455-9190 for assistance with your claim. We offer compassionate listening, clear explanations, and we don’t charge a dime unless we win your case.

Beyond legal claims, we also advise on veterans’ disability, social security, and employment protection like workers’ compensation, FELA, and The Jones Act for maritime workers. 

There’s no risk or cost to connect with our experienced team about your rights. Our commitment to your well-being means no fees unless you receive compensation.

We’ve also introduced W.A.R.D., the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database. It’s the most comprehensive resource for asbestos-related information.

W.A.R.D. assists in pinpointing potential exposure scenarios, asbestos-containing products, and can indicate the types and potential amounts of compensation you may be entitled to receive.

Scholarly Reference:Community health risk assessment after a fire with asbestos containing fallout | Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (bmj.com)