A mineral fiber that was commonly used among an array of construction and building materials, asbestos fibers can become damaged and disturbed during renovations and remodeling. When disturbed, the fibers become airborne, where the dangerous materials can be inhaled and cause serious health, long term health problems.
Although the dangers of asbestos have come to light, provoking new regulations and the elimination of its use in newer products and materials, the deadly fibers continue to affect those previously exposed and properties being remodeled where asbestos was used. Some of the products where the material was previously used include:
Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of environments, though employees who work, or used to work, in asbestos producing environments or mines often endure dangerous asbestos exposure. Other industries where employees, contractors and workers may be exposed to the fibers are:
A naturally prevalent fiber, asbestos is resistant to heat and many chemicals, making it a material that was previously used in a variety of products and goods, especially in homes, buildings and properties under construction. Asbestos can come in a multitude of forms including, chrysotile, crocinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
While there are a wide range of health problems associated with asbestos, some of the more serious issues involve the inhalation of the fibers, increasing the risk of lung disease, also known as mesothelioma. The more someone is exposed to the deadly fibers, inhaling even the most miniscule particles, the greater the risks accompanying. The fibers inhaled by those exposed to asbestos can imbed themselves into the lung tissue, causing mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Though the inhalation of the fibers is dangerous enough as it is, people who smoke are at an even greater risk for experiencing illness as a result. Asbestosis is a disease that results from inhaling asbestos, which irritates and produces scarring in the lungs. The scarring can make it hard for sufferers to breath. Some of the people affected by asbestosis experience a dry, crackling sound in the lunch when breathing in deeply.
Those experiencing complications resulting from inhaling asbestos endure the greatest number of deaths as a result of lung cancer associated. In fact, in contrast with the general population, those exposed to asbestos have a much higher rate of developing lung cancer, even if exposure occurred years and year ago. Some symptom of lunch cancer caused by asbestos inhalation may include (but are not limited to):
A type of cancer, Mesothelioma is a rare type that affects those who work in industries and environments where they are exposed to asbestos. The cancer affects the lining in the lungs as well as the heart, abdomen and chest regions and may not develop for years following exposure. A cure for mesothelioma is not always possible.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured, died or fallen ill with cancer or any other asbestos related conditions, call our asbestos exposure attorneys or mesothelioma lawyers in Austin, San Antonio, Killeen and statewide Texas, contact us online or visit one of our 11 office locations in Texas for a free consultation today. Our experienced attorneys will help you seek fair compensation for your pain, suffering and loss. We care. We can help.