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Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a
variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a
fire-retardant.
EPA and CPSC have banned several asbestos
products
Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited
uses of asbestos
Today, asbestos is most commonly
found;
◊ in older homes,
◊ in pipe and furnace insulation materials,
◊ asbestos shingles,
◊ millboard,
◊ textured paints and other coating
materials,
◊ and floor tiles.
Elevated concentrations of airborne
asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or
other remodeling activities.
Improper attempts to remove these materials
can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering
people living in those homes.
The most dangerous asbestos fibers are to
small to be visible.
After they are inhaled, they can remain and
accumulate in the lungs.
Asbestos can
cause;
◊ lung
cancer,
◊ mesothelioma
(a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings),
◊ asbestosis
(irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal).
Symptoms of these diseases do
not show up until many years after exposure began. Most people with asbestos-related diseases
were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some developed disease from exposure to
clothing and equipment brought home from job sites.
Breathing
high levels of Asbestos fibers
can lead to an increased risk of:
◊ lung
cancer
◊ mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the
chest and the abdominal cavity;
and asbestosis,
in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
◊ The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma
increases with the number of fibers
inhaled.
◊ The risk of lung cancer from inhaling
asbestos fibers is also greater if you
smoke.
◊ People who get asbestosis have usually been
exposed to high levels of
asbestos for a long time.
◊ The symptoms of these diseases do not usually
appear until about 20 to 30
years after the first exposure to
asbestos.
Most people exposed to small amounts of
asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, do not develop these health
problems.
However, if disturbed, asbestos material
may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there
for a long time, increasing the risk of disease.
Asbestos material that would crumble easily
if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to
create a health hazard.
Asbestos facts:
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◊ When asbestos fibers are
inhaled, most fibers are expelled, but some
can become lodged in the lungs and remain there
throughout life. Fibers
can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation.
Enough scarring
and inflammation can affect breathing, leading to
disease.
-
◊ People are more likely to
experience asbestos-related disorders when
they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are
exposed for
longer periods of time, and/or are exposed more
often.
-
◊ Inhaling longer, more durable asbestos fibers (such
as tremolite and
other amphiboles) contributes to the severity of
asbestos-related
disorders.
-
◊ Exposure to asbestos,
including tremolite, can increase the likelihood of
lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung conditions
such as
asbestosis (restricted use of the lungs due to retained
asbestos fibers)
and changes in the lung
lining.
-
◊ Changes in the
lining of the lungs (pleura) such as thickening,
plaques, calcification, and fluid around the lungs
(pleural effusion) may
be early signs of asbestos exposure. These changes can affect
breathing
more than previously thought. Pleural effusion can be an early
warning
sign for mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the
lungs).
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◊ Most cases of asbestosis or lung cancer in workers
occurred 15 years or
more after the person was first exposed to
asbestos.
-
◊ Most cases of
mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the
first exposure to asbestos.
-
◊ Mesothelioma has been
diagnosed in asbestos workers, family members,
and residents who live close to asbestos
mines.
-
◊ Health effects from asbestos exposure may continue
to progress even
after exposure is stopped.
-
◊ Smoking or cigarette
smoke, together with exposure to asbestos,
greatly increases the likelihood of lung
cancer.
If you think you have been exposed you
should take action and inform your doctor.
Even if you don’t feel sick tell
your doctor that you might have been exposed to asbestos. Most people don’t
show any signs or symptoms of asbestos related disease for 10 to 20 years or
more after exposure.
Only a doctor can
tell if you have any health problems due to asbestos exposure.
If your doctor finds you have adverse health issues related to
asbestos, call us
immediately. We are dedicated to helping those who
have developed an asbestos related disease.
You need a lawyer who
handles asbsetos contamination to adequately analyze all the intricacies involved and
protect your rights to be fully compensated for your damages.
Do not make any type of statement
or sign any papers without first consulting with us
Anything said or signed can be used against you and may prevent you from
receiving compensation that you may have otherwise been able to
receive.
Contact Us
if you have been injured. It is important that you act promptly as
certain statutes of limitations apply and you can lose your rights to be compensated.
The initial review of your case and the consultation is free. We look forward to working with you
and we know you will be pleased with our services.
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It gives us a genuine satisfaction to meet and help you
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The entire staff of the McDermott and McDermott Law
Firm is knowledgeable and sensitive to your needs. Their focus is on making the process as
comfortable as possible.
◊ They explain everything
to you,
◊ keep you
informed,
◊ include you in the
decision making process,
◊ and always return your
phone calls.
Your matter is handled as expeditiously as possible
without compromising your rights.
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