Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of microscopic fibers and is resistant to fire and heat. Getting exposed to it through inhalation can lead to severe health hazards. The tiny fibers might get trapped in your lungs and increase the risk of developing lung, laryngeal, and even ovarian cancer. These cancers typically develop after you’ve been exposed to asbestos for decades.
For instance, a former janitor who was employed at the Avon Products facility in Illinois was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He worked at the facility during the 1980s and was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc for several years. In July 2024, his family received $24 million from the Cook County Circuit Court jury to cover the losses incurred after his death.
Over the years, several states in the US have been affected by asbestos exposure. According to Mesothelioma Hope, the top five states are California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas. In order to resolve this problem, the US finally decided to ban the use of asbestos. Keep reading this article to learn more about this.
Asbestos exposure mainly affects the lungs and their surrounding membranes. The ‘War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center’ has shared the potential health hazards of getting exposed to this mineral. They are:
These are scars on the pleural membrane. Typically, a CAT (computed axial tomography) and chest X-ray can detect pleural plaques. In most cases, this condition doesn’t exhibit any symptoms.
Here inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring in the lung tissue, making it stiff and thick. Asbestosis is considered a serious ailment that can deteriorate over time, resulting in symptoms like a chronic cough and shortness of breath. There is also an increased risk of pneumonia and lung infections.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that usually forms in the lining of the abdomen, lungs, or heart. Lung cancer, on the other hand, occurs inside the lungs and can result from inhaling asbestos for a prolonged period.
Other cancers caused by asbestos exposure are pharyngeal, stomach, rectum, and colon cancer. People affected by these diseases have been filing asbestos lawsuits supported by substantial medical evidence.
If you’ve had a similar experience, gather all relevant proof and consult a lawyer. This will help your lawyer evaluate the extent of asbestos exposure and damages, and build a strong case. It increases your chances of receiving legal compensation.
In January 2024, AboutLawsuits.com reported on a study by ‘Occupational Knowledge International’ and its findings. The study evaluated multiple published studies on asbestos exposure during cutting, removing, and installing asbestos cement pipes, sheets, and roofing.
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the safety limit for airborne asbestos is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter. The study revealed that cutting asbestos cement pipes resulted in a mineral concentration that was 50 times higher than the set limit.
Workers cutting asbestos cement pipes experienced exposure that exceeded the short-term safety limits. On the other hand, 86% of workers who used power saws to cut asbestos cement sheets were severely affected.
TorHoerman Law states construction workers and power plant employees are also susceptible to asbestos exposure. Others include railroad contractors, automotive mechanics, mining professionals, paramedics, and firefighters. They may have asbestos fibers on their garments which can affect their family members at home.
These workers might develop cancer 2 or 3 decades after the onset of the exposure.
Hence, the researchers concluded that a global ban on asbestos cement products is necessary. Even though, to date, 60 countries have banned the use of asbestos, it still gets used in many middle-and low-income countries.
In March 2024, BBC.com reported that the US had declared a ban on the use of asbestos. This move by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) follows several failed attempts to stop this mineral from being used for over 30 years. Although the use of this carcinogen has declined, it is present as a construction material in several buildings and homes in the US.
Michael Regan, an EPA administrator, stated that the ban applied to white asbestos, called chrysotile asbestos. This is the only type of mineral used in the US. Industries using this mineral have 12 years to phase it out completely. Even though the ban aims to reduce the negative effects of asbestos exposure, many variants of this mineral aren’t covered by it.
However, it's best not to have any doubt about the efficacy of the ban. Brenda Buck, a professor at the University of Nevada, asserts that the EPA announcement is a small step toward gradually phasing out asbestos in the US. That means, there’s hope for better outcomes in the future.
In conclusion, asbestos exposure resulted in fatal health hazards for industrial workers and anyone who inhaled the mineral. The US ban on asbestos brings hope that the chronic ailments resulting from asbestos exposure will be reduced. However, if you have been affected by asbestos and diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma, seek both medical and legal assistance.
