Many governments restricted or even banned asbestos years ago, but it’s still a major health concern for millions of people working in many industries. Many old buildings contain asbestos within their insulation, flooring, roof tiles, and piping. This means that when workers are drilling, cutting, or tearing down these buildings, asbestos fibres are released into the air.
Even routine renovation work can disturb asbestos-containing materials that have remained untouched for decades. Workers may not always realize they are dealing with asbestos until the material has already been disturbed.
Older industrial buildings, factories, schools, and residential properties can all contain asbestos. Although its use has been restricted in many countries, the material has not completely disappeared. As a result, workers on projects may still encounter it without expecting to.
Where Workers Are Still Exposed to Asbestos
Within shipyards and the military industry, workers are exposed to high levels of asbestos. Many ships contain asbestos due to its use in fireproofing and insulation. HVAC engineers, plumbers, and electricians are also at risk of exposure when maintaining older systems.
Firefighters are also at risk due to asbestos becoming airborne when a structure catches fire. The danger is not limited to those handling the materials directly. Other workers nearby may inhale airborne fibres, especially when work takes place in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas
A Dangerous Disease
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Even small amounts of asbestos can lead to serious diseases later in life. Symptoms such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, and persistent coughing can mean that mesothelioma is often diagnosed at a late stage.
It can take up to 50 years for diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a particularly rare cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs or abdominal area. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos.
Legal Claims
Many companies that produced asbestos-containing products knew about the health risks for decades. This negligence has led to thousands of successful legal claims. By filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, you can claim compensation for your medical costs, loss of earnings, and pain caused by preventable exposure. You can claim large amounts of money, often into the millions. These claims are handled by specialist lawyers on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Previous employment records, medical documents, and details of past working environments can help establish a history of asbestos exposure. However, compensation will depend on the individual circumstances of each case and the laws that apply.
Endnote
If you work in a high-risk industry, then make sure you know what materials you are working with, ask for the correct safety equipment, and inform your employer if you think any materials contain asbestos.
If you have worked with asbestos in the past, then talk to your healthcare professional about keeping an eye out for any early signs. Due to the time between exposure and disease development, it may be years before you know the full impact of your working conditions.
