Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure at Work

Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and was used in over ten thousand popular products in every industry from the 1940s until the mid-1980s.

It was the best insulating material to add to any product because it was strong, fireproof, and cheaper than fiberglass. This wide use exposed millions of workers, putting them at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Since the 19th century, unrestricted use of asbestos in plants, factories, shipyards, construction, and other industrial sites has contaminated many workplaces with airborne asbestos fibers.

Workers have also experienced asbestos exposure while maintaining or repairing asbestos-containing automotive brakes, cutting cement pipes, or manipulating asbestos fireproofing and insulating materials.

Fibers of asbestos become dangerous when disturbed in any way: ripped, cut, torn, drilled, sanded, etc. This puts the dust-like fibers into the air, making them easy to inhale or swallow.

Once the asbestos fibers are free, they circulate on air currents and can remain airborne for weeks at a time.

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After the 1980s, a reduction in new asbestos products lessened some exposure in industrial environments. However, workers in older facilities continue to face severe asbestos exposure risks while operating, renovating, and demolishing contaminated buildings.

The risk of harm from asbestos continues for the useful life of the building or equipment until it is 100% removed.

How Is Asbestos Exposure Harmful

Asbestos is harmful because, Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses can occur when workers inhale or swallow the asbestos particles.

After the particles enter the body, they migrate to the lungs and become trapped. There the fibers cause scarring that worsens over time-called Asbestosis.

This asbestos exposure can critically damage breathing and trigger genetic mutations in the cells, causing cancer.

The fibers also puncture the lung tissue and enter the pleura. The pleura is the lining of mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs. When the asbestos fibers cause damage to this tissue, genetic mutations in its cells cause a specific and deadly cancer called mesothelioma.

If you have been diagnosed with any of these diseases, our team of mesothelioma lawyers is here to help. They've spent decades tracking down asbestos exposure in the workplace.