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Welding Blankets

Asbestos is a natural fiber, but just because it is natural doesn't mean it is good for your body. In fact, asbestos causes a very deadly form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can only be contracted through exposure to asbestos, so it should be extremely easy to avoid. However, asbestos was use used in thousands of items prior to the 1980s because asbestos, although deadly, is also cheap, durable, heat-resistant, flexible, and strong. Unfortunately, that means that millions of people have been exposed to asbestos, and a large percentage of those people have developed mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma occurs when a person breathes in or swallows asbestos. The asbestos fibers then attack the lungs, heart, and stomach, where very thin tissues are found. Mesothelioma develops over long periods of time. First, the asbestos causes tiny tears. As the body fights the asbestos, it tries to repair the body, which should prevent mesothelioma, but actually makes things worse. The scar tissue creates a perfect environment for mesothelioma because of the abundance of scar tissue. Mesothelioma develops when the scar tissue, caused by the asbestos, mutates. Sadly, most people don't realize that they have mesothelioma until it is too late to effectively treat.

What products put you at risk for mesothelioma? Asbestos is found in thousands of place, but one that really is a cause for concern is clothing. Asbestos was commonly used in clothing manufacturing because it provided a cheap, warm, durable material that could be mass-produced fairly easily. Because the asbestos is so close to the body in this case, mesothelioma is even more probable. Thousands have already died due to mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in clothing.

One of the main types of clothing that causes mesothelioma is welding blankets. Welding blankets are worn by, you guessed it, welders, and asbestos was often used to create welding blankets because asbestos is not only cheap and strong, but also heat-resistant. When welding, the process gives off tons of sparks, and the welder is at risk for catching on fire. With asbestos, the material could be more flame retardant.

In addition, welding blankets not made with asbestos could still put you at risk for mesothelioma because other welding items may also have been made with asbestos. Asbestos was used everywhere! In particular, the rods used for welding were sometimes made using asbestos, and they could cause mesothelioma. Because asbestos is so fibrous, when welding, the asbestos fibers land everywhere, including on welding blankets. Therefore, old welding blankets could cause mesothelioma even if they were not originally made with asbestos.

Remember, because asbestos so readily fills the air, anyone working in an environment where welding took place is at risk for mesothelioma. Laws regarding the use of asbestos because of mesothelioma dangers didn't come into play until the 1980s, and asbestos was not even general knowledge until at least the 1960s. Mesothelioma takes many years to develop, so if you worked in an environment that included welding blankets, you should see a doctor immediately regarding asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Luckily, the law is on your side. If you've developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at your workplace or because asbestos was used in a product you unknowingly bought for home use, like welding blankets, you have legal options. Mesothelioma is often deadly, but even if it is not, treatment for the asbestos exposure is expensive. As soon as you see a doctor about your asbestos exposure and possible mesothelioma risk, talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about your options.

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