Although some occupations lend the workers to an increased risk of asbestos exposure, virtually anyone can suffer from an asbestos respiratory disease. More than one family member of a laborer has died from second-hand exposure to asbestos.

If a worker sweeps insulation particles that contain asbestos, the fibers could stick onto his clothing. Any family member doing laundry would be inclined to shake out the dust prior to laundering, allowing the particles to fill the air where unsuspecting family members could breathe them.

These occupations often involve asbestos exposure to some degree:

• Military service
• Shipyards workers
• Auto mechanics
• Paper mill workers
• Construction workers
• Textile workers
• Insulation installers
• Sheet metal workers
• Roofers
• Toll collectors
• Tilers
• Linotype technicians
• Plumbers
• Railroad workers

Most of the workers didn’t know they were exposed to asbestos or that the substance was dangerous. Asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma are among the asbestos respiratory diseases that can take 20 to 50 years to develop.

School Children Face Risk of Asbestos Respiratory Disease

Almost half of schools in the United States were built between 1950 and 1969, a time when asbestos was used heavily in school construction. Asbestos isn’t dangerous until it is disturbed, but as these buildings age, more school facilities undergo restoration. When asbestos particles are released into the air, they can end up in the lungs of children, teachers, and administrative staff.

In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, known as AHERA. The new law required the EPA to develop a plan for schools to safely handle asbestos in their buildings.

The EPA followed by enacting the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule in 1987. All nonprofit elementary and secondary schools were told to inspect their school buildings for asbestos and develop a plan to manage the asbestos found in each building.

School districts were also instructed to notify parents and staff of the management plan, provide asbestos awareness training to school maintenance workers and to abide by safe treatment and removal standards.

In the 1980s, the United States estimated nearly 1,000 early deaths due to asbestos respiratory disease would occur over the next 30 years, and 90 percent would include people who were exposed to asbestos in schools when they were children.

Asbestos Respiratory Disease Difficult to Diagnose

Signs of asbestos respiratory disease can include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain. These can be symptoms of asbestosis, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer or pleural mesothelioma.

X-rays, CT scans and PET scans often are used to identify any tumors within the body. Blood tests check for any abnormal blood cell counts. If a tumor is detected, a biopsy will most likely be taken to determine the type of cancer.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all possible treatments for patients diagnosed with asbestos respiratory disease.

If you or someone you love has developed any type of asbestos respiratory disease, you could benefit from seeking advice from legal counsel.