Many people may not expect that asbestos, the insulating material linked to asbestos lung cancer, is still in common use. While it is rare to see it in parts like brake pads, asbestos is still used in roofing shingles and other construction materials. While one would think this is only a problem for contractors, entire towns can be affected and activists are asking the government to step in.

In Portland, Ore., young students may have been exposed to the fibrous substance after an old home was torn down, allegedly without proper remediation techniques. Cities that see skyrocketing property values often see young and rich buyers tear down old homes for a more modern replacement. Yet it takes trained specialists in order to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure and limit the likelihood that asbestos lung cancer, also known as mesothelioma, will develop.

Activists in the Beaver State are looking to improve regulations because under the current system, there are only rules to minimize exposure once construction has already started. Specifically, they want earlier checks. Doing so may also have reduced the risks now faced by residents in Worcester, Mass. There, a man was convicted of child endangerment when he had a teen dismantle boilers covered in the material linked to asbestos lung cancer without the proper training or protection.

One major concern that many people do not realize until they have to consider filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is how long it takes for symptoms to arise. For example, those who are exposed to asbestos could develop asbestos lung cancer symptoms as a result of asbestos exposure several decades from now.

In addition, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Unless governments at the local, state and federal levels improve their monitoring of abatement of old homes and new home construction alike, the mesothelioma lawsuit count is likely to climb.