Asbestos Related Diseases Cause 39,000 Fatalities Annually
Almost 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year. While the most substantial asbestos exposures occurred mostly before the 1980s, some asbestos exposure continues to this day. Asbestos is a mineral fiber group found in rocks and soil. The fibers are microscopic but can separate easily when handled. When released into the air and breathed in, they build up and irritate the lungs or abdomen and cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestosis.
How are Americans Exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos use was widespread from 1902 to 1980 because it is strong, durable, insulating, and fire-resistant. Asbestos was used in almost every industrialized manufacturing process, shipyards, military facilities, refineries, power plants, etc. It was used in home and building construction and consumer products.
People living near large construction projects, spending time in public buildings, or living in homes with asbestos materials were exposed to asbestos.
The last U.S. asbestos extraction operation was the King City Asbestos Company mine in central California, which closed in 2002. Mining the toxic mineral is not allowed in the U.S. anymore.
What we know about Asbestos-related diseases
- All types of asbestos may cause cancer and lung disease in humans.
- According to the World Health Organization, Asbestos-related diseases have high fatality rates and do not respond well to medical treatment.
- No safe threshold for exposure to asbestos has been established.
- There is no cure for most asbestos-related diseases
- Because of long latency periods attached to these diseases, stopping the use of asbestos will take decades to show declines in the number of asbestos-related deaths.
Even the smallest amount of asbestos fiber if inhaled, can trigger deadly asbestos-related diseases later in life. According the president of the International Commission of Occupational Health, asbestos-related conditions cause more than 39,000 deaths in the U.S each year.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, you should speak with Goldberg, Persky & White P.C. We offer a free consultation to determine whether you have a claim.
