Related Topics ► Other TopicsAsbestos Mineral Wool
Historically, asbestos was used in a very large range of construction products due to its efficiency as an insulator, and its fire-resistant and flame-retardant properties. In 1977 the use of asbestos in most construction materials was banned by the Consumer Product Safety commission due to the health hazards associated with the substance. Asbestos is known to cause several lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Asbestos mineral wool may have been used up until the 1950s. This mineral fiber was typically used as insulation material, and to reduce noise pollution in residential and commercial buildings.
Protecting yourself from Asbestos
The presence of asbestos-containing construction materials in your home does not always pose a health hazard. If the materials are intact and in good condition, there is little danger as long as the materials are not disturbed, as the asbestos fibers are dangerous only if they become airborne and are inhaled into the lungs.
However, because asbestos mineral wool was typically used in and before the 1950s, homes that contain this substance may be more at risk due to the age of the home. As asbestos-containing materials age, they are more likely to degrade to a point where asbestos fibers can be released into the air.
If you suspect your home may contain asbestos mineral wool or any other asbestos-containing construction materials, these products can be professionally tested for the presence of asbestos. Once you know if asbestos is presence, you can take steps to protect you and your family. This may involve having the asbestos professionally removed and replaced with harmless materials. It is important that this be carried out by a professional to prevent any exposure to asbestos, and protect you and your family from diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos and your Legal Rights
Mesothelioma is a particularly deadly cancer that commonly develops in the lining of the lungs, and is caused only by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is diagnosed in approximately two thousand Americans every year, and the disease has a two-year mortality rate of around 50%, partly because the disease is difficult to diagnose, and by the time diagnosis occurs it may have already advanced significantly. Mesothelioma has no cure.
Mesothelioma and asbestosis are caused only by exposure to asbestos. In many cases, the development these tragic diseases could have been avoided with more effective protective measures, and by discontinuing the use of asbestos as soon as the dangers of the substance were known. Because the use of asbestos continued after it was known to be dangerous, it is possible for victims of mesothelioma and asbestosis to obtain financial compensation by pursuing a lawsuit or settlement against the company responsible for exposing them to asbestos.
It is very important to know that a statute of limitations applies in cases of asbestos-related diseases. In America, anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma must take legal action within two or three years of diagnosis, depending on the state in which they live. For this reason it's important to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer without delay after receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease. Your mesothelioma lawyer can help you pinpoint when asbestos exposure occurred, determine who was responsible, and ensure that they are held accountable for it. Obtaining financial compensation can pay for medical expenses, replace lost income, and provide compensation for loss of quality of life.
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2008-07-08 15:54:55
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The family of a former Illinois man were disappointed this week after an sbestos lawsuit failed to provide them with the compensation they had hoped for. After a three-week trial, the jury decided in favor of the defendants. The family of Robert C. Scott sued Honeywell International and Pneumo Abex, claiming that Scott had come into contact with ...Read More
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