Risk of Asbestos Exposure is Still Alive and Well
Rumors of Asbestos’ Disappearance Are Greatly Exaggerated
To many people, the risk of asbestos exposure seems like a thing of the past. Hasn’t asbestos been banned? Didn’t the government put a stop to the use of this dangerous material long ago? Sadly, the answers to those questions are no, and asbestos is still presenting a threat to human health today. It’s true that the threat has been reduced, but it still exists, and a recent review that covers asbestos in one specific area highlights that fact.
The Problem of Asbestos Cement
A recent report published in Annals of Work Exposures and Health has shined new light on asbestos cement and the role it plays in the ongoing issue of exposure around the country as well as around the world. As the name would suggest, asbestos cement is a type of cement that uses asbestos in its formulation. For a time, this was a very common approach to making cement, in general, so these products can still be found in countless places and in many different applications.
A miraculous material, with a menacing dark side
The reason for using asbestos in cement in the first place was obvious – it made for an excellent finished product. The durability of asbestos is second-to-none, which is why so many products featured these fibers for years. With its long-lasting nature, along with being affordable to purchase, manufacturers loved to use asbestos in cement and in countless other products. Specifically, asbestos pipes were a popular application, although the thought of such pipes carrying water for people to use is now something that would make almost everyone think twice.
Knowing what we know now, asbestos cement certainly raises many red flags. The issue, however, is that because it is so tough and durable, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. And, as this report uncovered, the cutting of asbestos cement products releases its microscopic fibers into the air, putting everyone in the area at risk.
An Issue for Years to Come
As mentioned above, this is a problem that isn’t going away anytime soon because of the durability of asbestos cement. This is a product that was used virtually everywhere for a period of time, including in water tanks, cooling towers, water pipes, roofing, siding, and more. So, when asbestos is encountered in one of those settings, it needs to be dealt with properly.
Careless treatment of asbestos concrete can be dangerous
Unfortunately, there is a problem with awareness in some places that can lead to reckless cutting and disposing of asbestos cement. If the people working on a project don’t understand that the cement they are dealing with could contain asbestos, they aren’t going to take the kinds of precautions that are necessary. And, in some places, there may also be a lack of available resources to deal with asbestos cement properly. As a result, some projects may need to be put off or will end up going forward without the right steps being taken.
Some Concerning Findings
The study specifically looked at what happens when asbestos cement is installed, maintained, and removed. When asbestos cement pipes or roofing were cut, for example, the air quality in the area was measured to analyze exposure levels.
Not surprisingly, the results were concerning. The report found 100% of power-cutting tasks involving asbestos cement pipes resulted in the air exceeding the U.S. short-term excursion limit. In other words, it’s very dangerous to be in the area while asbestos cement pipes are being cut up for disposal.
Many Possible Health Problems Can Result
The risk of exposure to asbestos is so serious because of the many health problems that can result. And these are not minor health issues – they are very serious conditions that are often life-threatening.
Latency: Asbestos-Related Diseases Like Lung Cancer Can Take 20-50 Years to Appear
One factor that complicates the issue of asbestos exposure and related illnesses is the time delay between exposure and illness. This isn’t something that is going to make an individual sick the same day they are exposed – or even a month or year later. The latency of asbestos exposure stretches out into decades, meaning it’s common for someone to get sick 10, 20, or more years after they were exposed.
Unfortunately, this latency can lead people to take more chances around materials like asbestos, thinking that the risks are so far off they’re not something to be worried about. That’s a mistake, of course, and all asbestos exposure is risky. Whether it’s contact with asbestos that has been spread into the air after a cement pipe is broken apart, or it comes from another source in or around a home, even a minor exposure event can put an individual’s health at risk.
It’s Not Only Direct Exposure
When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be breathed in and become lodged in and around the lungs for the long term. That’s a major health risk that is quite likely to lead to conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis later on.
Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
With that said, it should be noted direct exposure is not the only way someone can acquire an asbestos-related illness. So too can indirect, or secondhand, exposure be a health threat. So, if a loved one used to work in a plant where asbestos was used, those fibers may have come home on their clothes or work equipment, where they could have then be distributed in and around the home. That means loved ones like spouses and children could very well have been exposed in a secondhand manner, and they may be at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases as a result.
The Legal Side
There are many companies that are responsible for the damage that asbestos has caused both in the United States and around the world. Those companies had a duty to warn people working with or using asbestos products in their home that the fibers were dangerous to human health, and yet, many failed to do so. The use of asbestos continued far after it was learned by some in the industry that it was likely harmful to human health, and those reckless actions have caused incredible suffering by countless individuals and their families.
Many Asbestos Companies Are Still Required to Pay Compensation for Failing to Warn That Their Products Cause Cancer and Other Diseases.
The legal battles surrounding asbestos, just like the potential of exposure itself, is far from over. Today, affected individuals and their families have a couple of great options to explore when seeking compensation for the harm that has been done. As one option, it’s possible to file a traditional lawsuit against the company that is believed to be guilty of harm in this case. Lawsuits can be tremendously lucrative if successful, but they do take a long time and can be quite stressful. The whole family will need to be ready to take on a fight if the plan is to proceed with a lawsuit against one of these corporations.
An alternative to a lawsuit is a claim with an established asbestos trust. Many companies have been made to set up asbestos trusts as part of bankruptcy proceedings where money can be held that is meant for victims to claim. Filing a claim with a trust is still going to require that you have plenty of proof of the harm that has been suffered, but it’s much easier to go through this kind of claim than it is to win a lawsuit.
An Ongoing Story
Unfortunately, the story of asbestos is not one that can simply be left in the past. There are still many threats out there, both in terms of old materials that still contain asbestos, as well as some new products that have been allowed to contain this dangerous material. Moreover, imports from other countries have inadvertently continued to bring asbestos products into the U.S. due to less stringent regulations in these countries.
If you or a loved one have been impacted by asbestos in some way, consider taking legal action to stand up for your rights. A company that should have protected you against this known harm may be responsible for the health issues you or a loved one are now facing – and you should receive compensation for their actions.
To get started down the path toward receiving damages, work with an experienced asbestos attorney who can help you choose the best path forward for your individual circumstances. It’s possible to file a traditional lawsuit in the pursuit of damages, or you may opt to file a claim with an asbestos trust to hopefully secure payment out of the funds that have already been made available to victims. Don’t wait any longer to seek out the justice that is rightfully yours.