Fire in Austin Exposed More than 100 Firefighters to Asbestos:
Asbestos can be deadly. We’ve known this for years, and, as a result, the U.S. highly regulates its use. But, until the late 1980's, manufacturers commonly used asbestos in building materials, insulation, and floor tiles because of its high heat resistance and lightweight, fibrous nature. While manufacturers can’t use asbestos as freely as they once did, the material is still in roofing materials, gaskets, brake linings, friction material, and flame-retardant protective clothing.In buildings constructed before 1990, asbestos is still common. Disturbances like renovations, demolition, or fires can release asbestos fibers into the air or water, where people may inhale or ingest them. Unfortunately, even limited exposure to asbestos can cause cancer, including mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the pleural lining of the lungs and abdomen. Now, hundreds of Austin firefighters may need to monitor their health for years after asbestos exposure.
The Austin Warehouse Fire
On May 6, 2021, firefighters raced to the scene of a warehouse fire at the corner of Blackson Avenue and the North Interstate 35 access road in Austin, Texas. The team arrived within the first five minutes of the call, but firefighters didn’t discover that asbestos may have contaminated the smoke-filled air around the warehouse until more than an hour later. KXAN reported that city documents revealed that the fire might have exposed up to 115 firefighters to asbestos. That is nearly 20% of the city’s firefighters.As a precautionary measure, the city sent the exposed firefighters for x-rays if they later develop health problems related to the asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, asbestos-related cancers like mesothelioma often take decades to develop, with many people remaining undiagnosed for 40 years or more. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, and most asbestos-related cancers have a low survival and treatment rate.
Contact the Madeksho Law Firm
If you or someone you love has cancer or mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online to set up your free consultation. Your first visit is free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
