Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure occurred more often in the past, but some people are still at risk today. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases. There is no safe level of exposure to this harmful mineral.

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 experienced 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 prevents corrosion and resists heat and fire, it was frequently used to build ships.

From boiler insulation, hot water, pipes, and more, asbestos was used for various reasons on ships and often in poorly ventilated areas.

The end result is that numerous ship workers have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other illnesses associated with asbestos exposure.

Most victims were exposed 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. Over four million Americans worked on ships during the World War II era, and many of them worked as asbestos insulators.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the dangers of asbestos were thoroughly investigated and taken more seriously.

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 has one of the most extensive coastlines in North America, making it a convenient place for shipyards.

Power Plants

Asbestos was used in power plants because of its ability to endure extremely high temperatures while preventing fires. It covered machinery, pipes, boilers, and other products.

This continued through the early 1980s, even though the dangerous effects of asbestos were 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.

Metal Works Industry

Asbestos was used widely in factory machines because of its fireproof insulation. Many welders, steel mill employees, blacksmiths, and aluminum and iron factory employees experienced prolonged exposure.

In addition to factory machines that contained asbestos, most plants were made using asbestos, as well as many of the products that employees used.

Metalworkers would spend many hours working in plants and factories 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 the 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 still frequently work on homes and buildings constructed before the EPA’s regulations.

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
• Carpentry and drywall work
• Roofing
• Setting and cutting tile, and more

Firefighters

Like construction workers, firefighters also have one of the most dangerous occupations.

Firefighters may still encounter asbestos in homes and buildings that were built with the dangerous minerals before 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. Firefighters must always get regular medical check-ups.

Schools and Homes

According to the EPA, there are over 130,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in the U.S. that contain asbestos.

Since the typical age of a school building is over 40 years old, millions of children and teachers are exposed to a slight amount of asbestos each year. Only schools built after the late 1970s to mid-1980s are asbestos-free.

Today, schools must be inspected routinely to develop an effective management plan for asbestos exposure.

However, per the National Center for Health Statistics, school teachers, specifically elementary school teachers, risk developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos in Older Homes

Older homes built before the mid to early 1980s may contain 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 built with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still occupied by families.

Seek the help of a state-certified asbestos inspector if you live in an older home, as the human eye cannot detect asbestos fibers.

Until then, make sure never to 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 face prolonged asbestos exposure.

Prior to EPA regulations, asbestos was used to insulate many components in oil refineries, ranging from ovens, roasters, tanks, boilers, furnaces, pumps, and more.

Oil refinery workers were exposed to asbestos daily, and although it helped them prevent fires and burns, it also put them in danger.

Paper Mills

The paper manufacturing industry has long used ACMs in paper mills. These facilities, especially older paper mills, are full of equipment that generates high temperatures or requires friction-reducing materials.

ACMs are still used in paper-manufacturing machines, such as drying machines.

Older paper mills also used asbestos in insulation in boilers and pipes. Further, 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 several popular stores:

• Saban Power Rangers Super Megaforce Crayons
• Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Crayons
• Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crayons
• Amscan Crayons

Investigators found asbestos in the following toys:

• Edu Science Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit
• Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit

In 2009, another children’s product, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation toy kit, contained asbestos.

CBS and several major retailers settled a class-action asbestos lawsuit involving the product. It’s since been removed from store shelves and is no longer manufactured.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

Occupational and direct environmental exposure to asbestos are the principal means by which the toxic fibers enter the body and trigger asbestos-related illnesses.

However, people can be exposed to asbestos in other ways, usually through secondhand exposure, also known as secondary exposure.

Secondhand exposure is more prevalent in women and children than occupational exposure, which tends to affect male workers.

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, skin, and hair.

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 them 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: 

• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart murmurs
• Coughing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Thickening of the pericardium
• Difficulties with breathing, especially when lying flat

If you suspect you have ever worked with or been around asbestos, talk to your doctor immediately. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the better your prognosis. Also, consider talking to a mesothelioma lawyer to find out how to seek compensation.

Getting Legal Help

Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.