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Renovating Old Buildings & Asbestos Exposure a Real Risk
By Amanda Antell
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Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber. Due to its strength and resistance to heat, asbestos has been widely used in building materials and friction products. It was also commonly used as insulation in buildings. Asbestos Contamination Complicates Vermont Town’s Renovation Plans
A historic municipal building in Castleton, Vermont is in need of extensive renovations after it was declared uninhabitable due to design issues and possible asbestos contamination. Renovation of the building is expected to cost at least $1 million, but may cost more due to the health concerns posed by the asbestos.
The majority of Castleton residents are opposed to leaving the building vacant. This week, a final analysis of the level of mold and asbestos contamination will be conducted. Before any renovation or demolition can take place, these harmful substances must be safely removed from the premises. Once the extent of the asbestos contamination is known, Castleton residents will vote on whether to renovate or abandon the historic building.
Health Risks Posed by Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure can cause significant health problems such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Because the use of asbestos in building problems was widespread, thousands of people are suffering serious health problems from asbestos exposure. Workplace asbestos exposure has caused thousands of people to suffer from serious health problems, including:
- Asbestos mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Pleural effusion
- Asbestos warts
Because of these major health risks, federal and state agencies have developed very strict rules for asbestos removal. Construction workers must receive specialized training to learn safe asbestos removal techniques. These safe practices minimize the risk that asbestos fibers will be inhaled by workers and other individuals.
Mesothelioma Develops Decades after Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is most commonly caused by asbestos exposure. Most of the people who develop the disease have been employed in settings that exposed them to airborne asbestos fibers. In many cases, their family members were also exposed to the asbestos fibers that clung to their clothing. Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult because the symptoms do not appear for decades after the asbestos exposure. Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing up blood.
Learn More about Your Legal Rights
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page to learn more about your legal rights. Thousands of people have been affected by the disease because of years of being exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Because mesothelioma takes decades to develop, asbestos lawsuits are often complicated to pursue. If you submit information about your condition, a lawyer will conduct a complimentary case evaluation to determine if you qualify to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If someone you love has died after developing mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship and loss of financial support. Because these cases are difficult to prove, it is important that you speak with a skilled mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your legal options.
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Updated May 9th, 2013
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All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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