Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to still find asbestos in our homes and schools. In fact, even though asbestos exposure can lead to many harmful diseases, many buildings and products still contain it. However, when it comes to actually knowing what asbestos is, how it can harm us, and what we can do about it, many people do not have the facts they need. If you are concerned about asbestos exposure or if you have been exposed to asbestos and are struggling with a related disease, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Wieand Law Firm, to discuss your claim. Below is valuable information on facts about asbestos, where you can commonly find it, what you can do about it, and steps to making a claim after an illness. If you have any questions, please contact a lawyer right away.
If asbestos is so bad, why is it still in so many products?
In the 20th century, asbestos was used in a large number of products and industries because of its durability. While experts believed that it was the best product to use while constructing buildings and appliances, they later found out that there were harmful and deadly side effects to using it. Thus, even though companies are banned from using it, that does not mean that all buildings with asbestos were torn down or that all products were taken off the shelf. In fact, asbestos is still commonly found in:
- Decorative materials
- Roofing
- Ceilings
- Insulation
- Certain types of paint
- Vinyl tiles
- Steam pipes
What are the health risks of asbestos?
When something that contains asbestos is disturbed or broken, the asbestos particles become airborne. This is the easiest way for people to breathe it in and get the particles stuck inside their bodies. Because asbestos itself is naturally occurring, it is not uncommon for many people to breathe in trace amounts of it daily. However, when you begin breathing in significant amounts, that’s when the real danger happens. Many construction workers are at high risk because they might discover tiles or buildings that contain asbestos insulation in them and not realize that they have asbestos until the item is already damaged.
Common Illnesses
Some of the most common illnesses that come with asbestos exposure are:
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Colorectal cancer
- Mesothelioma
How can I minimize the risk?
First, it is imperative that you know that just because there is the presence of asbestos in your home, office, or school does not mean you are at risk. However, when the area containing asbestos is damaged in some way, then the particles become airborne. You need to speak with an asbestos removal company in your area if you find rooms containing asbestos. They can recommend the best course of action to take.
If, on the other hand, you have already been exposed to asbestos and are showing signs of an illness due to this exposure, then speak with an attorney immediately to determine what the best legal course of action is to take.