Acoustical Plaster
Asbestos is a deadly substance that can cause mesothelioma cancer. An enormous variety of different types of manufactured products may contain asbestos, or used to contain asbestos. Acoustical plaster is one such product that used to contain asbestos, but the use of asbestos in these products was banned several decades ago, because long-term exposure to asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Acoustical plaster, as the name suggests, is a type of drywall plaster that is sprayed or otherwise applied to walls to serve as an acoustic barrier. While the use of asbestos in acoustical plaster is now banned, any homes built prior to the late 1980s may have been noise-insulated using acoustical plaster that contains asbestos.
Exposure to Asbestos in Acoustical plaster may cause Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma cancer is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, typically over several years. However, because mesothelioma itself often takes several decades to develop, people living in homes with asbestos-containing acoustical plaster or other home-building materials may be exposed to asbestos without ever realizing it. The symptoms of mesothelioma are highly-nonspecific, and a person with mesothelioma may have symptoms resembling flu or pneumonia.
Acoustical plaster that contains asbestos is typically harmless, and will not cause mesothelioma to develop as long as the material is left undisturbed. Asbestos-containing acoustical plaster is dangerous only when the material is disturbed, such as during home remodeling, or if walls are drilled, cracked or even simply sanded. Any disturbance can cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air, and this is when the fibers become dangerous, as they can be breathed into the lungs at this point.
How to Protect Yourself and your Family
If your home was built prior to the late 1980s, and you are concerned about the possibility of asbestos-containing acoustical plaster being present in your home, the best solution is to have the materials tested for the presence of asbestos. This is inexpensive and will provide conclusive results.
The potential danger of asbestos-containing acoustical plaster is generally enough for most people to have the substance professionally removed from their home. Note that removal should only be carried out by a professional drywaller who is experienced in handling asbestos-containing materials, to ensure the process is competed safely.
Unfortunately for some people, they do not find out about the dangers of asbestos until it is too late. Long-term exposure to asbestos contained in acoustical fibers and other materials can cause mesothelioma to develop in time. If you or a loved one is in this situation, you do have some rights, and it's important to be aware of that fact.
Contacting an experienced mesothelioma attorney is the best way to become informed about your rights and what you can do to win some form of compensation from the company that is responsible for your exposure to asbestos and the resulting cancer. Winning a lawsuit or settlement can help you provide for your family and obtain some justice for the pain and suffering that mesothelioma causes.
Because the sole cause of mesothelioma is known to be asbestos exposure, there is never any doubt as to the cause of the disease. In most cases the only unanswered questions are where and when the exposure occurred, and this is another issue that a mesothelioma lawyer can assist you with. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you pinpoint where and when your exposure occurred, whether it was at home with acoustical plaster, or at work by another means.
- Early Detection of Mesothelioma Crucial
2008-04-28 13:30:11
When Brandon Benoit suffered a football injury last year, he never dreamed that getting treated for that injury could change his life—and perhaps save it. When Benoit was treated for his injuries ... [read more] - Could Caffeine Help Treat Mesothelioma?
2008-04-24 16:46:33
A mesothelioma research group has discovered that treatment with anti-cancer drug Pemetrexed may be more effective if patients are treated with caffeine before r ... [read more] - Mesothelioma Researchers to Receive Innovator Award
2008-04-24 16:44:14
The Kirk A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation, in conjunction with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), has created two new funding opportunities for scientists working on cancer resear ... [read more]
