Valve Stem Packing - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Valve stem packing was used in heat and plumbing systems, as well as in residential and commercial construction. Asbestos was used around the stems of valves to provide insulation and prevent heat transference in ducts, boilers, and a wide variety of other places.

Throughout the twentieth century, asbestos was widely used in more than five thousand different construction and manufacturing products. Asbestos is an excellent insulator with strong fire resistance, making it a popular choice for industrial use. However, asbestos is also known to be a highly toxic substance. When inhaled into the lungs, asbestos can cause lethal diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is only caused by asbestos exposure.

The presence of asbestos in residential or commercial buildings does not always present a health risk to people that live or work there. If asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and are in locations where they cannot be disturbed, then the chance of the fibers being inhaled are not likely. However, if the materials are in poor condition or are disturbed, fibers can release into the air and become inhaled. Inhalation of a small number of fibers may not be dangerous, but repeated exposure is a significant health risk. For this reason, workers that were involved in manufacturing processes where asbestos was used are often at great risk. It's important to remember that even short-term asbestos exposure can cause serious health issues.

Asbestos - What are Your Rights?

Long term asbestos exposure is a proven cause of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These diseases typically have extended latency periods of two or more decades. Mesothelioma cancer in particular is a deadly disease, mainly because it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages.

The health risks associated with asbestos were known as early as the 1930s, yet many companies using asbestos in manufacturing and construction failed to protect the workers they employed from being exposed to the deadly substance. In the last few decades, many workers who have developed asbestos-related diseases have received compensation from the companies responsible for their exposure.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, legal advice should be obtained as soon as possible. The statute of limitations in these cases is two to three years and it's important to obtain legal advice quickly. A mesothelioma lawyer can help determine who is responsible for the asbestos exposure, as well as decide the best course of action for obtaining compensation for the emotional, physical, and financial pain caused by mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma News

Asbestos Testing for Oneida County Building Funded by Union
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The Oneida County Office Building in Utica, New York has recently tested negative for airborne asbestos. Apparently though, that isn't good enough for the union, which represents county employees. Uni ...Read More
Asbestos Tests Show New Jersey Sports Field Poses No Risk
2008-11-20 15:36:54
Asbestos was discovered last month at a public area in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, which prompted concerns that there may be exposure risks for locals. Now, however, those fears have been allayed, as tests ...Read More
EPA and Vermont Working Together to Solve Asbestos Mine Problem
2008-11-20 15:19:39
State of Vermont officials have released a new statement about the urgent need for investigating the impact of an abandoned asbestos mine in Colchester. The mine, located near the towns of Eden and Lo ...Read More