Asbestos Products

Asbestos Seals

Asbestos is now known to be a highly dangerous substance and the risks associated with its use were known as early as 1930; however the use of asbestos in construction and a wide variety of manufacturing industries continued unrestricted until the 1970s. Asbestos is a tough and durable fibrous substance that was widely used in construction and manufacturing due to its excellence as an insulator and fire-retardant.

Asbestos seals were used in a wide variety of ways and for many different purposes, including as seals for boilers and furnaces, as seals on window frames, on roofs, and for many other construction purposes. Asbestos seals may contain between 10% and 30% asbestos.

Asbestos is most dangerous as a result of long term exposure over several years. Exposure to asbestos is one known cause of lung cancer, and asbestosis and mesothelioma are both caused solely by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is particularly deadly, and this form of cancer currently has no cure. Asbestos-related disease have very long latency periods - two decades or more typically elapse between exposure and the onset of disease symptoms - making these diseases difficult to diagnose and very resistant to treatment.

Long-term asbestos exposure is most common in people who have worked in industries where asbestos-containing products are manufactured, and in people who have worked in professions that have routinely used asbestos-containing products in the past. Asbestos-related diseases caused by exposure to asbestos products in the home are less common, but this method of exposure still poses a significant risk in some cases.

The presence of asbestos in the home is not always dangerous. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and is left undisturbed, asbestos fibers are unlikely to become airborne and inhaled into the lungs. However, any disturbance of the material can potentially allow fibers to become airborne, and at this point they can pose a health risk. If you suspect your home may contain asbestos products, these can be professionally removed and replaced with safer materials.

The use of asbestos-containing products was not restricted in any way for several decades after the dangers of asbestos were known. Tragically, many companies involved in the use of asbestos for manufacturing and construction purposes failed to protect their workers through the provision of safety equipment that would have prevented asbestos exposure. Most deaths that have been caused by asbestos exposure in the past two decades could have been avoided if some simple safety precautions, such as the provision of protective clothing, had been taken.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma, don't delay in contacting an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights in the situation you now face. In America, the statute of limitations in cases of asbestos-related diseases is two to three years after receiving a diagnosis, so contacting a mesothelioma lawyer should be done as soon as possible after diagnosis has been made.

Pursuing legal action, in the form of a lawsuit or settlement, has helped many people obtain justice and financial compensation from the company who was responsible for their exposure to asbestos. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, claiming financial compensation can provide funds to pay for medical expenses and replace income lost through being unable to work, helping to ensure the financial stability of your family.

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