Asbestos
The main push to cleanse the globe from asbestos insulation started in the 1970s, but came to a helm decades later. The dangers associated with asbestos has long been known. As early as 1898, the Chief Inspector of Factories in the United Kingdom included in his annual report to Parliament that asbestos particles in the air can cause grave harm to those who inhale it.Asbestos Usage
Legend has it Charlemagne had a tablecloth made from asbestos which he cleaned by throwing it into the fire. In some cultures asbestos-made goods were so rare as to be equated with gold. Today, the results of manufacturing processes and products which make use of asbestos have caused the death and injury of many; and there has been an enormous push to avoid its use in practically any form.
Asbestos-Related Health Problems
Since the discovery of asbestos, man has found it a cause of itching in cases of prolonged contact with skin; this should have been the first warning. Beginning in the nineteenth century, when asbestos was used in manufacturing, the dangers of dust particles that were similar in shape and edge to shards of glass became known. The dust particles could be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, causing a host of problems. As science and our ability to understand these problems has progressed, it was discovered that asbestos was a carcinogen. Asbestos causes a particular cancer known as mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, a tissue found on the inner walls of the chest.
Asbestos warts are another problem. They are caused by fibers that stick to the skin, which then grows over them. Asbestosis is another, much more serious problem, which is also related to asbestos fibers that are lodged in the lungs.
Seeking Asbestos Remediation
There are many legal options open to you if you have suffered from exposure to asbestos, including the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005, a proposed legislation that Congress is reviewing. If the act were to pass, it would set aside a $140 billion trust fund to aid victims of asbestos. If you suspect you have cause to seek legal recourse for exposure to asbestos, contacting an attorney with experience in the matter is a good first step.
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