Firefighters at Increased Risk of Asbestos Exposure:
Asbestos used to be widely used in building construction materials and insulation because of its fire-resistant qualities. Its use has been largely banned since the late 1970's due to its link to mesothelioma, but asbestos still can be found in the walls and floors of many older structures. This reality puts firefighters at an increased risk for asbestos exposure when fires occur in these older buildings.Thus, it came as an insult-to-injury when reports surfaced in 2019 that the City of San Diego had potentially subjected thousands of firefighter trainees to unnecessary asbestos exposure over the course of a decade by training them in a decommissioned naval building that had not gone through asbestos mitigation. As a result of those reports, the county’s Air Pollution Control District (ACPD) is currently investigating the claims.According to reports, the city was aware of the asbestos problem in the building but had delayed addressing it, allegedly downplaying or failing to disclose the threat to trainees. If the City of San Diego is found to have acted recklessly, it may be fined as much as $80 million for this infraction. Since the reports surfaced, the city claims it has sealed off the affected areas of the training facility and no longer uses those sections to train firefighters.
The Enhanced Danger of Asbestos Exposure for Firefighters
According to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters are twice as likely to die of mesothelioma than other workers due to their frequent exposure to “legacy asbestos” lurking in the walls, floors, and insulation of older buildings. The danger stems from particles of asbestos becoming airborne when these buildings are damaged in fires and other natural disasters. As first responders, firefighters must regularly enter these toxic environments before knowing what toxins they’re being exposed to. They also frequently enter these damaged buildings and hack into walls and floors, releasing legacy asbestos in the process. Firefighters can be exposed to asbestos when they deconstruct and remove old and damaged fire protection systems, such as fire doors or ventilation fans.
Contact the Madeksho Law Firm
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) for help, or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Your first consultation is free, and we never charge a fee until your claim is successful.
