Asbestos Exposure Risks -
What You Need to Know:
You may have heard about the dangers of asbestos and even that exposure can cause cancer. But you also may assume that if you’ve never had a job working with asbestos, then you’re in the clear. But you can unknowingly be exposed to asbestos in many ways if you don’t know the precautions to take.
Common Items With Asbestos
- Building Materials
You may be unknowingly surrounded by asbestos if you live in an older home. You can find asbestos in many construction materials used in homes, such as insulation, roof tiles, flooring, drywall, and more. The idea was to make homes safer with heat-resistant building materials, but ironically, these materials in older homes are now a health risk.But even if you live in a newer home, asbestos may still exist. It’s found in roofing and insulation materials, pipe wrappings, corrugated cement roofing, fireplace bricks and pipes, artificial fireplace logs, embers, ashes, textured paints, and popcorn ceilings.
- Auto Parts
Manufacturers still use asbestos in auto parts like brake pads and linings, filters, clutch facings, and gaskets. Be careful of potential asbestos exposure from home repairs you perform in your garage.
- Products Containing Talc
Personal products you already have in your home can also expose you to asbestos. Baby powder and other personal care products containing talc likely expose you to asbestos. Johnson & Johnson has removed its talc products from store shelves, but some manufacturers still haven’t. Powder-based cosmetics like eyeshadow, face powder, foundations, and fragranced body powders often contain asbestos-contaminated talc. Men can be exposed to asbestos in body powders they use especially in sports.Some children’s toys have been found to contain talc, such as crayons, modeling clay, and cosmetics for young girls.
Secondary Exposure
If you have a loved one who works with asbestos or products containing asbestos, they could unknowingly bring asbestos home on their clothing or shoes. Some of the workers at risk include:
- Construction workers
- Auto mechanics
- Shipyard workers
- Insulators
- Military service members
- Firefighters
- Factory workers
- Aircraft mechanics
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Industrial workers
- Plumbers
- Welders
- Boilmakers
Catastrophic Events
Even if you take as many precautions as possible at home, you can face asbestos exposure if a catastrophic event happens nearby. For example, an older building consumed by fire, older homes destroyed by flooding, or a nearby manufacturing plant heavily damaged by a tornado could release asbestos fibers into the air near your home. The tragic destruction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers on 9/11 resulted in the release of a plume that contained 400 tons of pulverized asbestos and other hazardous substances throughout lower Manhattan. Subsequently, over half a million people including workers, fire fighters and other first responders were exposed to the toxic dust during the rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations that ensued.
Environmental Exposure
It’s also possible to face exposure to asbestos from the environment. Environmental exposure to asbestos occurs when asbestos fibers are released into the natural environment, typically due to mining or geological processes. Naturally occurring asbestos deposits can pose a risk, especially in regions where such deposits exist. The release of asbestos fibers into the air or water can result in potential health hazards for those living in proximity to these areas. While human activities like construction, demolition, or the use of asbestos-containing products are more commonly associated with asbestos exposure, environmental exposure underscores the need for comprehensive monitoring and regulations to safeguard public health and the environment.
Precautions to Take With Asbestos
If you’re dealing with car parts that may potentially contain asbestos, your best bet is to let a professional deal with replacement and disposal. In your home, using a professional is also a good idea. However, you should ensure that any contractor or subcontractor working on your home takes proper precautions to keep asbestos fibers out of the rest of your home.According to the EPA, to avoid asbestos exposure, you should:
- Leave undamaged asbestos materials alone
- Have removal or replacement done by trained professionals
- Don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may include asbestos
- Don’t use abrasive pads, saw, scrape, or drill materials that contain asbestos
- Don’t track material that may contain asbestos through the house
If you have a loved one who works with asbestos, or you suspect that a natural disaster or catastrophic event may have released asbestos and put you at risk, you can still take precautions. Have your loved ones leave their shoes outside and change their clothes in a safe area before entering your home.
You Need a Skilled Asbestos Lawyer
If you or a loved one are dealing with cancer or another chronic health condition because of asbestos exposure, we may be able to help. At the Madeksho Law Firm, we’ve been helping families like yours get the compensation they deserve since 1972. Call us at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
