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Asbestos is a strong, durable fibrous substance with excellent fire-resistance and flame-retardant properties, making it ideal for use in the manufacture of protective clothing. The use of asbestos was widespread in the twentieth century, and was used in more than five thousand different products, including protective clothing such as asbestos mitts.
Asbestos mitts were used for industrial and manufacturing purposes to protect the hands of workers from dangerously hot temperatures. They were used in glassworks, foundries, steel plants, and by firefighters. The use of mitts and other items of clothing containing asbestos did indeed protect workers from the hazards associated with extreme heat; however the use of asbestos clothing also exposed them to serious health hazards.
Asbestos mitts usually contain at least 40% asbestos. The production and use of asbestos mitts and other protective clothing continued well into the latter half of the twentieth century, and they may still be in use in some industries.
The Dangers of Asbestos
The use of asbestos in most industries and construction products has been banned since the 1970s due to the known health risks associated with substance. Long-term exposure to asbestos via inhalation can cause a range of lung diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that develops only in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is particularly deadly, partly because it has a long latency period of two decades or more, and partly because it is very difficult to diagnose the disease early and accurately. There is no cure for mesothelioma cancer, and because accurate diagnosis is often very difficult, and treatments are often ineffective at slowing the progress of the disease, less than 50% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma live longer than two years after diagnosis.
Asbestos-related diseases most often develop in the lungs of people who inhale airborne asbestos fibers. Asbestos mitts and other clothing containing asbestos are at their most dangerous when the user is able to inhale fibers that come loose from the weave of the fabric. This often occurs when asbestos mitts are old or in poor condition.
What are your Legal Rights in the Event of Asbestos Exposure?
Anyone who developed mesothelioma has been exposed to asbestos repeatedly, and if you have been exposed to asbestos through wearing asbestos mitts, it is highly likely that exposure occurred at work. In cases like this, someone who develops mesothelioma can often claim financial compensation from the company responsible for their exposure to asbestos. The dangers of the substance were known long before any attempts were made to regulate its use or protect workers from the hazards of working with it, meaning that companies who allowed their workers to be exposed were committing negligent actions.
If you have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, don't delay in contacting a mesothelioma lawyer to obtain some legal advice. The statute of limitations on such cases is two to three years in America (depending on the state in which you live), dating from the day of diagnosis. This means it's important to contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible when a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made.
A mesothelioma lawyer can provide legal advice, and with your assistance can determine how asbestos exposure occurred and who is responsible for it. Claiming financial compensation from the company that is responsible provides funds to cover medical expenses and replace lost income, and just as important, compensates you for loss of quality of life, and ensures the company is held responsible for its negligence.
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2008-07-15 15:24:59
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- KDHE Issues Post-Storm Asbestos Warning
2008-07-08 15:54:55
After recent storms the Kansas Department of Health and Environments has issued a general warning to remind residents of storm-damaged areas that asbestos exposure is a possibility which should be guarded against while cleaning up debris. Asbestos was a common component of construction materials up until the 1980s due to its high fire resistance ...Read More - Jury Sides with Defendant after Three-Week Asbestos Trial
2008-07-08 15:53:46
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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