Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure can cause people to develop mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are known carcinogens and become lodged various places throughout the body. The most common place for these fibers to lodge is within the mesothelial layer of the lungs. This will cause pleural mesothelioma which is the most common form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is found naturally throughout our environment in the air, in water, and in some soils. Asbestos exposure is not uncommon since this mineral is used commercially in various products to strengthen, fireproof, insulate, sound proof, etc. Asbestos is found in such places as the automotive industry (within brake shoes and clutch pads), shipwrecking yards, insulation, roofing, “popcorn” ceiling spray within homes, construction and demolition sites, and within various other asbestos jobs.
Asbestos exposure occurs even though there are governmental regulations limiting the amount of asbestos a worker can come in contact with. These regulations were put in place in the 1970s to protect workers; however, asbestos exposure is still relatively high. Workers are exposed to unhealthy levels of asbestos on a daily basis due to negligence.
Workers can protect themselves from asbestos exposure by following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards. This is a governmental division that regulates asbestos in the workforce and protects workers from unhealthy levels of asbestos exposure. This agency is a division of the US Department of Labor (DOL). Another division of the DOL is the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) which enforces regulations for reducing the amount asbestos exposure for mine workers.
If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is advised that you visit your doctor for an exam. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to know your rights, it is recommended that you can an asbestos attorney to receive a free consultation.
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