One of the most upsetting aspects of an asbestos-related disease can be the length of time it can take for symptoms to show up. A person can be healthy for decades after exposure and then suddenly start feeling the shortness of breath that can be the first sign of mesothelioma or other lung diseases. Many of them go to the doctor, but they may still not get a diagnosis asbestos-related illnesses can often look like other conditions at first.
Remembering victims on National Mesothelioma Awareness Day
People in North Carolina may be aware that Sept. 26 was Mesothelioma Awareness Day. While it is crucial to highlight awareness efforts and review the causes of and solutions to mesothelioma, most people affected by this terrible disease would agree that one day is not enough.
Home construction project uncovers massive asbestos problem
The dangers of asbestos are often lurking in areas all over buildings and homes constructed before the 1980s, when asbestos was used in everything from roofing to insulation to floor tiles. Many of these areas of a home go untouched for years, leaving the asbestos intact and relatively harmless. But all it takes is one project to stir up the toxic substance, releasing it into the air where it poses a serious threat to people's health.
Who are the indirect victims of asbestos exposure?
Asbestos has long been identified as a carcinogen. That means that exposure to the toxic substance can cause cancers such as mesothelioma, which is an aggressive and fatal disease. Even though people have known for decades that asbestos exposure can be toxic, many people went to work every day without being properly protected. Those who worked in shipyards, on construction sites and on railroads were among those exposed to asbestos on a regular basis.
New tool developed to tackle asbestos in pipes more safely
One of the most dangerous products in construction is also one of the most common in households and office buildings across the country. That product is asbestos and it is very possible that a person has come into contact with an asbestos-containing product at some point. However, asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes airborne and breathed in. When this happens, a person can develop serious lung illnesses and cancers that can be fatal.
Asbestos-exposure victim and wife awarded $38 million
A 74-year-old man worked for years in factories and on farms using gaskets, pumps and valves manufactured by three different companies. He had no reason to suspect that these products were dangerous, but they were ultimately what led to him developing mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer. The products the man was using were made with asbestos.
Asbestos released into the air after dangerous fire
Many buildings around North Carolina were built using products that contained asbestos. So even though it was not widely used after the 1980s, it still exists in many homes and buildings today. It is in the roof, the insulation, plumbing and even floor tiles. But too many property owners assume that asbestos poses no threat if it is not undisturbed. But there is still a very serious risk associated with having asbestos on a property.
Asbestos mine owners reach settlement with state
Long before asbestos makes it way into our homes, office buildings and construction materials, it starts in a mine. And when it comes to mines like the one in Northern Vermont, it can still pose a threat to people and the environment even when it is inactive. Recently, the state filed a lawsuit against the Vermont Asbestos Group, who owns the mine, looking to recover the costs of preventing the asbestos in the mine from being released and cleaning up the damage that has already been done by the toxic mineral.
Negligent asbestos removal companies put workers in danger
Making money and generating a profit is generally the top priority for business owners. They want to find cost-effective solutions and save money where they can. However, some employers take this desire to make money to dangerous levels by engaging in practices that end up putting their workers and others in danger of getting hurt or sick.
