Asbestos Products

Asbestos Sponge Block

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring substance that was widely used in the twentieth century for a wide range of construction-related and manufacturing purposes. The strong, durable fibers of asbestos make it an excellent insulator and fire-retardant, and as such it has historically been a very popular choice in the production of construction materials.

As early as the 1930s, asbestos was also known to be a highly dangerous substance that could cause a variety of diseases, including some forms of cancer. Asbestos exposure is known to cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and a rare but very serious form of cancer called mesothelioma that affects the lining of the lungs as a result of asbestos fibers being inhaled. All of these diseases may take several decades to develop after initial exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos sponge block was typically used as an insulator in roofs and walls, particularly in areas where materials with strong resistance to heat were needed, such as around furnaces and boilers. Asbestos sponge block contained between 6% and 20% asbestos, depending on its location and purpose within the building.

Despite the known dangers of asbestos exposure, the use of this substance in construction and manufacturing continued without restriction until the 1970s. In America, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos in most construction materials in 1977. However, because the ban applied only to the production of new supplies of materials and not to the use of existing stocks of asbestos-containing products, these existing supplies were used up until the mid-1980s.

Anyone involved in the manufacture of asbestos construction materials, or working in the construction industry in or before the 1980s, may have been exposed to asbestos during their work. In addition, anyone living in a home constructed during or prior to this time may be potentially exposed to asbestos fibers.

If you are concerned that you home may contain asbestos construction materials, it is important to realize that this does not necessarily pose a threat to the health of you and your family. Asbestos fibers are harmful only when they are airborne and can potentially be inhaled into the lungs. If the asbestos-containing products in your home are in good condition and are not disturbed, there is little risk to your health.

However, older homes may contain materials that are in poor condition, and there is increased risk of exposure in these cases. In addition, remodeling may potentially release asbestos fibers into the air if any asbestos-containing materials are disturbed. In all cases, it is best to get some professional advice about the potential health risks of asbestos in your home.

The incidence rate of asbestos-related disease in America has steadily increased as people who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s have begun developing asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Tragically most of these cases were entirely avoidable, however many companies using asbestos failed to provide their workers with safety equipment that could have prevented asbestos exposure and saved their lives.

In the past two decades, many workers who developed mesothelioma have successfully obtained financial compensation from the companies that exposed them to asbestos unnecessarily. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or asbestosis, don't hesitate to contact a mesothelioma lawyer and obtain some advice on how to proceed with a mesothelioma lawsuit or settlement. Financial compensation can help provide for medical expenses and replace lost income, and more importantly, ensures that the parties responsible for your condition are held accountable for their actions.

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