Visit us anytime at https://www.asbestosclaims.law/. Asbestos Lawyer: Los Angeles
Asbestos, once hailed as being a ‘miracle mineral,’ is a deadly substance. Once its microscopic fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled or ingested by those in proximity, leading to a range of serious health issues.
Asbestosis and other asbestos-related lung diseases (including lung cancer) are common outcomes of prolonged exposure, as well as a particularly aggressive form of cancer called mesothelioma.
California is the leading state for asbestos-related deaths, with 27,080 reportedly occurring between 1999 and 2017.
Los Angeles ports are one of its largest industries. L.A.’s port industry generates a considerable amount of business and jobs for the city, with 134,000 jobs created by the Port of Los Angeles. Sadly, the county’s prominent port industry has contributed to L.A.’s asbestos-related death toll of an estimated 4,979 between 1999 and 2017, equating to an average of 262 asbestos-related deaths each year.
Silver Screen ‘snow’ not so magic
While the prevalence of asbestos in construction and maritime industries has become commonly understood, many are not as aware of just how varied its applications once were.
The heart of showbiz in L.A.’s Hollywood was once teeming with asbestos-containing products, with movie sets utilizing its incredible heat and fireproofing properties in a variety of ways. As well as the buildings and movie sets being constructed and insulated with asbestos products, ‘asbestos snow’ was commonly used to replicate snow in movie scenes. Legendary silver screen moments in movies such as the Wizard of Oz (1939) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1942) feature 100% pure chrysotile asbestos falling down upon the beloved actors of their generation.
Many of the old buildings in classic neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Laurel Canyon, Echo Park and Silverlake will likely still feature asbestos, unless extreme renovations have been carried out.
Asbestos-containing construction materials made their way deep into building structures for much of the 20th century – with a house built in the 1920s or 1930s being extremely likely to contain asbestos.
It’s not all doom and gloom – while L.A. does have more asbestos risks than you may have previously understood, there is greater awareness than ever, and plenty of options for having asbestos tested and removed – it’s just important to understand the risks and remain cautious.
If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related damage.
You can always check out the huge array of asbestos-related information on our website, including free help filing a claim if you’ve been injured. Visit us at https://www.asbestosclaims.law/asbestos-blog/asbestos-lawyer-los-angeles/
