Asbestos has been mined and used by human beings around the globe for well over 4,000 years now, with some of the earliest uses of this versatile mineral being to reinforce clay pots. This silicate mineral became incredibly popular in the construction industry in the 19th century due to the fact that it was tough, provided great insulation, improved soundproofing of any room and was also fire and chemical resistant. In short asbestos was seen as being something of a miracle material by the construction trade.
Health issues in using or mining asbestos were noticed several thousand years ago during the reign of the Roman Empire, when slaves who were involved in mining it were noted to suffer from diseases of the lungs. But it wasn\’t until the early 1900\’s, however, that a link between asbestos and respiratory and pulmonary problems became more obvious – only made possible as medical diagnosis became more advanced. Despite the fact that health risks were being noticed the use of asbestos in the construction industry continues to this day, although several countries have banned the mining and use of asbestos entirely – including the entire European Union.
During the 1980s the health concerns around asbestos grew to the point where employees were demanding that companies reevaluate the potential risk from inhaling asbestos fibers. The problem with asbestos fibers is that they\’re invisible to the naked eye, are odorless and tasteless, meaning you\’ll have no idea that you\’ve inhaled a dangerous quantity of them until you develop something like asbestosis, scarring of the lung tissues, or the lung cancer most commonly associated with asbestos exposure, mesothelioma. Prolonged exposure to asbestos can also affect your heart, and other organs in the most negative possible ways. Worse again is the fact that the asbestos fibers clinging to your clothes could cause your family to be exposed to the point of causing them harm too.
Incredibly enough the use of asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States, with a number of industries still actively using it. This means that there\’s every possibility you\’re being exposed to asbestos without even realizing it, right up to today. In fact it\’s only over the last decade or so that people who have worked in a situation where they were exposed to asbestos in the 1960s or 1970s are starting to develop the health problems – such as mesothelioma for example.
As with any medical condition the key is to watch out for the early symptoms of asbestos-related health issues, particularly if you find yourself suddenly short of breath, you experience a heaviness in your chest and/or you suddenly experience nausea at the same time. The reality is that millions of Americans working in professions such as construction, mining, roofing, auto mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians, factory workers and railroad workers are all routinely exposed to asbestos on an almost daily basis. At particular risk are those involved in the asbestos removal industry – this is almost as dangerous as mining this mineral in the first place.
All employers in the United States are legally obliged to inform their own employees, and members of the public, of their potential exposure to high levels of asbestos, and if they fail to do so that places them in a very actionable position. If you\’re in any doubt about whether or not you have a case in relation to your exposure to asbestos you should consult with an asbestos exposure lawyer as soon as is humanly possible – the sooner you take action the better.