By the 1930’s asbestosis was being recognized medically as a disease and the asbestos industry has known about the dangers of asbestos since the 1930’s. However, it took Court proceedings in the United States in the 1970’s to finally bring the dangers into the public consciousness.
Asbestos is a material that comes from rock. When left in the ground, asbestos is safe. When asbestos is removed from the ground and incorporated into products it becomes extremely dangerous. Asbestos was used heavily for many years and hundreds of products. It was primarily used due to the fact that it is strong, resists fire and corrosion, and has very effective properties for insulation.
Before the mid 1970’s regulations for asbestos exposure were for all practical purposes non-existent. Therefore, if you worked in the steel mills of Cleveland, Gary, Pittsburgh or the auto industry in Detroit or any of the other mining, milling, shipping, or railroad industries you should be aware that you are part of the at risk population.
Mesothelioma can affect your lungs or your heart but both kinds are caused by asbestos exposure. The word mesothelioma refers to the mesothelium which is the membrane that surrounds your internal organs. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. Mesotheliomas are categorized according to the area of the body which is affected.
The DiCello Law Firm lawyers understand that diagnosing Mesothelioma isn’t easy. There’s no way to detect it early. In fact the tests that are used to diagnose the condition won’t typically be prescribed until after the onset of symptoms. So, consider that Mesothelioma typically takes 20 years or more to develop from the date of exposure to asbestos.
There are six types of the mineral referred to as asbestos. They are briefly discussed below. They were generally sought after due to their anti-corrosive character and inability to conduct heat or electricity.
You may have heard that many companies who are responsible for injuring and killing tens of thousands of people due to exposure to asbestos have declared bankruptcy and have been ordered by Courts around the Country to reorganize. It’s important to understand that reorganization means that the Courts have allowed many companies to protect their assets.
If you are a veteran you may have heard that of all current U.S. Mesothelioma patients, 30% have served in the military. That’s because the properties of asbestos made it ideal for military use in construction, munitions, shipbuilding, etc. Though the military’s appetite for asbestos waned in the mid 70’s, veterans nonetheless continued to be exposed to asbestos fibers at an alarming rate.