Mesothelioma Causes
Mesothelioma - a word that strikes fear in the very sole of those who hear this diagnosis, and rightfully so. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is prolonged, painful, and with no cure. With many cancers, the actual cause is unclear. This is not the case with mesothelioma where 99% of all cases are directly linked to exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos has been in use for centuries because of its qualities as an insulating material, fire retardant, and heat shield. It was used in brake shoes, brake pads, clutch plates, gaskets, drywall, ceiling tiles, pipes, insulation, building materials, and the list goes on.
Industries at Highest Risk for Developing Mesothelioma
- Shipyards
- Ship Building
- Factories
- Mines
- Military
- Automobile Building
- Automobile Repair
- Construction Industry
- Steel Industry
- Plumbing industry
How Much Asbestos Exposure is Dangerous?
How much exposure to asbestos is too much? The problem is there is no concrete answer. While some people are exposed to upwards of 20 years, others are exposed for only weeks or months. The problem is workers around the country were exposed to asbestos because protective gear was not used and as a result 20 to 50 years later. Asbestos exposure of any level is dangerous and can lead to mesothelioma or other respiratory conditions. It wasn't until the late 1970's some products were banned from using asbestos, and in 1989 a final ban was put into place that banned most products that were still left on the market. Today there are still incidents of asbestos in products still in use from prior to the ban, such as existing buildings.
OHSHA requires all workers to use safety practices in place when handling any product that contains asbestos or has the potential to contain asbestos. But that doesn't mean the worry of mesothelioma is over. It is believed the number of mesothelioma cases will continue to climb until 2020 or perhaps even later.
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, contact our mesothelioma attorney so we can move forward with your compensation claim. |