Although asbestos is considered a carcinogen, capable of causing cancer, many Americans are still exposed to asbestos products every day. Items from common household products to construction materials may actually be asbestos products that can place you at a serious risk of cancer diagnosis if they are not handled properly.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for commercial purposes such as electrical or building insulation, as well as countless other uses. While problems with exposure to asbestos were much more common prior to the 1970s, when asbestos regulations started being put in place, there is still a risk.
Even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos in 1989, a federal court excepted historically asbestos products from that ban soon afterward. This meant that while no new kinds of asbestos products could be created, products that had typically been made with asbestos were permitted.
Asbestos products are often found at construction sites, but asbestos-containing items can also be found in the home.
Asbestos Products
A few common asbestos products include items in these categories:
- Gardening soil
- Fireproof clothing
- Construction materials
- Insulation
- Automotive parts
Gardening soil may be a risk, especially if it contains the substance known as vermiculite, which was mined from a location known for asbestos contamination. Firefighters’ uniforms and even glassblowers’ mitts are asbestos products due to its fireproof qualities, but this is not a risk for the average consumer.
Most asbestos products left today are construction materials, such as corrugated sheeting and roofing tiles. This means that construction workers generally face the highest risk of asbestos exposure. While most insulation is no longer made with asbestos, some still contains trace amounts of asbestos ─ up to one percent. Asbestos products are actually still quite common as car parts, including the clutch, gaskets, or brake pads.
The microscopic fibers of asbestos can accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos exposure can cause several critical health problems, the worst of which is asbestos mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, and has been primarily associated with exposure to asbestos products. Mesothelioma can, in some cases, take decades to develop. Because of these factors, asbestos mesothelioma is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of development, which makes it significantly more dangerous for patients.
People are typically exposed to asbestos products when performing construction or remodeling products, or other activities that can release asbestos fibers into the air.
Filing a Lawsuit Over Asbestos Products
If you suspect that asbestos products may have been disturbed during a home remodeling project or at your job, contacting the state environmental agency is a good place to start in order to get more information on proper asbestos protection.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with or died from an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma cancer after exposure to asbestos or asbestos products, you may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit or seek an asbestos fine.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual asbestos lawsuit or asbestos class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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Join a Free Asbestos Mesothelioma Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or cancer in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or chest cavity, you may be able to take legal action against the companies responsible. Don’t delay – in most states the statute of limitations is two years to file an asbestos lawsuit after you’re diagnosed. Obtain a free and confidential case evaluation be filling out the form below.
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Please Note: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client, if you qualify, or getting you dropped as a client.
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