Asbestos Exposure
The research we do for our client’s cases results in a large amount of pertinent and up to date information on asbestos, the asbestos industry, asbestos cancers and treatment options. We have compiled that information here in an on-line information library. We hope that by providing this information, we create a valuable resource, which will benefit people who have access to it. This section will be updated regularly as we uncover new and important information.
There are a number of alternatives to using asbestos products when constructing a new home or commercial building, and many of these are considered to be “green” options, as they are good for the environment and are also easy on a budget. It is important to educate yourself as to how each alternative works before choosing which product to use. Our section on asbestos alternatives provides information about several popular and cost-effective options, all of which are safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly.
Asbestos Alternatives
For much of the twentieth century, asbestos could be found in many of the insulation products used in homes and commercial buildings throughout the country. Contractors lauded the properties of asbestos-containing insulation for decades, stressing the material’s durability and fire and heat resistance. Products like W.R. Grace’s Zonolite insulation were used in millions of homes across the U.S. and Canada and in many other countries.
Today, we know better and there are myriad alternatives to products that contain asbestos. So, when remodeling a home or renovating an office building, there are many choices to be considered. Many of them are “green”, providing a safe alternative for the environment as well as for the individuals inside the building. Most are readily available and can be provided by a contractor.
Workers at Risk
Union Workers at Risk
Because asbestos was so widely used for centuries, including the first three-quarters of the 20th century, literally millions of workers have been and remain at risk for developing asbestos cancer. In the majority of cases, these workers never knew that they were putting their lives on the line by working with this “miracle” mineral, which served as an insulator and fire proofing agent for thousands of products manufactured and used worldwide.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Membership in a union can serve as a great advantage to asbestos cancer sufferers and their families as well as those who have been exposed to asbestos on the job, whether now or in the past. Unions, particularly in the last 30 years, have made great strides in addressing the issues surrounding asbestos exposure and because they are often times thousands strong, they can move mountains that otherwise could not be moved.
Asbestos Legislation
Historically, labor and trade unions were formed to protect workers in a variety of ways. In the days of shoddy factories, they rallied for better and safer working conditions for employees. They’ve helped secure fairer hourly wages and have stepped in when a member of their union was wrongly dismissed from a job.
Asbestos Cover Up
Asbestos has been recognized as a dangerous substance for literally centuries. Even the ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder noted that slaves who toiled in the asbestos mines of old suffered from severe respiratory problems and died at a very early age.
As the years went on and the use of asbestos became more and more commonplace, especially after the Industrial Revolution, doctors and scientists continued to recognize the dangers of working on a daily basis with this toxic mineral, and by the late 19th century, they had made a definite connection between asbestos and pulmonary diseases.
Overview
Throughout the United States and indeed the world, hundreds of labor and trade unions are in place to protect individuals who work in myriad industries, from steel workers to school teachers.
Unions have played a unique role in U.S. history. At times, they’ve had a volatile past, causing riots and angering the masses. Some individuals value their connection with their local or national trade union; others think the country would be better off with no such unions. Regardless of one’s political opinion, however, history shows that unions have often times been the only support for wronged workers; eager to take up the cause for the underpaid, overworked, and otherwise maligned employee.
Asbestos Contractors
We have compiled a nationwide asbestos services directory to assist you in locating companies and contractors that specialize in asbestos testing, asbestos removal and asbestos consulting. To help you determine which type of company is best suited to meet your specific needs we have provided a brief description of the service(s) that they perform.
Asbestos Removal
There are over 3,000 manufactured products that are known to contain asbestos. The only way to truly remove the threat of asbestos exposure and its dangerous health effects is to remove all asbestos from the premises.
Products and areas containing asbestos should only be handled by professional, licensed asbestos removal contractors. In most cases asbestos must be removed entirely but in other cases asbestos abatement may be accomplished through encasement or encapsulation.
Occupations
If you worked in one of the following trades or job occupations, it is likely that you were exposed to asbestos throughout your career. Additionally, if you were a family member of someone working in these occupations, you may have experienced second-hand exposure to asbestos. Both groups mentioned are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma (asbestos cancer).
Steel Mills
We have collected a list of the major steel mills across the country where our clients have been exposed to asbestos. People who worked at these steel mills are at a greater risk to develop serious medical conditions including mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer. The list is organized by state and links to respective Web sites have been provided for your convenience.