Asbestos Products

Acoustic Finishes

Asbestos - the deadly substance that can cause mesothelioma cancer - can be found in an enormous variety of products, including products called acoustic finishers, which are used to provide sound insulation for living rooms, bedrooms and other areas in the home. Long-term exposure to asbestos in any product is known to be the sole cause of mesothelioma.

Acoustic finishers are substances that are sprayed or otherwise applied to the interior surfaces of ceilings and walls to provide insulation against noise. Prior to the 1980s, some acoustic finishes were made using asbestos. However, even though the use of asbestos in this way was made illegal in 1978, some home acoustic insulation that was added to homes during the 1980s may still contain asbestos, as use of existing stocks of the material was not banned.

These finishers often have a popcorn-like appearance when applied using the spray method. However, not all finishers with this characteristic appearance contain asbestos. If you suspect the acoustic finishers in your home may contain asbestos, the best course of action is to have a small sample tested. While the use of acoustic finishers that contain asbestos may not always pose a health hazard and may not always lead to the development of mesothelioma, finishers that contain as little as 1% asbestos can potentially be dangerous.

Exposure to Asbestos in Acoustic Finishers may cause Mesothelioma

Long-term exposure to asbestos in acoustic finishers and any other asbestos-containing product can cause mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma may take several decades to develop, and the symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific, and can resemble pneumonia, flu and other much less serious diseases. If you are exposed to asbestos-containing acoustic finishers you may develop mesothelioma twenty or more years later without ever realizing you were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers.

The asbestos contained in acoustic finishers is often quite harmless, because the asbestos fibers are sealed within layers of finisher and paint. The presence of asbestos-containing finishers in your home does not automatically mean you will develop mesothelioma, or any asbestos-related disease. As long as the asbestos-containing layer is not disturbed in any way, it can be considered relatively safe - the substance is only dangerous if pieces of it break off, as when this happens asbestos fibers can be released into the air.

However, there is always a risk, and for that reason professional removal of the material is the best option if you discover you have asbestos-containing acoustic finishers in your home. Removal should not be attempted by a non-professional, as disturbance of the asbestos layer significantly increases the risk of exposure to the deadly fibers.

Protect Yourself and your Family

If you've been exposed to asbestos because your home's acoustic finishers contain this deadly substance, or if you've developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to the asbestos contained in acoustic finishers, you do have some rights.

If you find yourself in either of these situations, don't hesitate to find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can help you understand your rights and what you should do next. A mesothelioma lawyer can not only advise you of your rights, they may also be able to help you win a lawsuit or settlement against the company that was responsible for your exposure to asbestos. A lawsuit or settlement can help you obtain recompense for costs of medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Each case is different, however, and only an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can advise you.

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