Asbestos Answers

What is asbestos? Here’s what you need to know.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals with tiny, microscopic fibers. It is resistant to heat, fire, chemicals, and corrosion. Since the 1800s, asbestos was mined for use in the automotive and construction industries, among others. Workers exposed to asbestos can develop a number of serious conditions, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques, and other diseases.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains standards for employers to protect workers and shield them from asbestos exposure. However, prior to the implementation of these standards, the use of asbestos was common as was its inclusion in the production of materials.

If you were exposed to asbestos, contact Cory Watson Attorneys 24/7 for a free case review. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.

 

Important Asbestos Facts

 If you are experiencing breathing problems related to an illness caused by asbestos, you may have questions about your condition. Arm yourself with these important facts about exposure to asbestos types and the causes and symptoms of asbestos-related medical issues.

Asbestos Causes

Some of the many products that have been linked to asbestos exposure include:

• Building and construction materials
• Car clutch pads and brake shoes
• Plastics
• Adhesives
• Paints
• Coatings
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Vermiculite-containing gardening products

OSHA regulations have considerably lessened the use of asbestos over the years, but no rules can reverse the damage done to workers who were already exposed.

Asbestos Types

Asbestos refers to a group of minerals that can cause irreversible disease to lungs and other parts of the body. There are six types of these minerals:

• actinolite asbestos
• amosite
• anthopyllite asbestos
• chrysotile
• crocidolite
• tremolite asbestos

These minerals create a scar-like building of tissue in the lungs resulting in chronic breathing problems, cancers, and death.

OSHA Asbestos Exposure Regulations

In areas that use asbestos, employers must set up regulated areas that comply with OSHA’s regulations for worker exposure. For an eight-hour shift, exposure cannot exceed 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of airspace; for short-term work, exposure cannot exceed 1 fiber per cubic centimeter averaged over a 30-minute period.

Asbestos Exposure Symptoms

Identifying warning signs of asbestos-related conditions can help treatment. Several factors affect the severity of a condition, such as the length of time of exposure, the amount of asbestos present during exposure, the chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers, and the presence of other lung diseases.

Some of the most common symptoms of asbestos-related conditions include:

• anemia
• chest pain and tightness
• crackling sound when inhaling
• hoarseness
• loss of appetite
• mucous-producing couch
• shortness of breath
• wheezing

Get a 24/7 Free Asbestos Case Review

If you or a loved one developed a condition caused by asbestos exposure, contact Cory Watson Attorneys for a free evaluation of your asbestos claim by filling out our free initial consultation form or calling (877) 562-0000. As a nationally recognized injury law firm, Cory Watson Attorney has the resources and experience to help protect your rights to compensation.