Throughout the 20th century, tons of asbestos were mined in our country and put in thousands of everyday products. Asbestos was very inexpensive and was used as filler in many different products throughout many different industries. For example, asbestos was widely used in insulation, machinery, cement, siding, and roofing materials.
There are a number of different jobs where workers were exposed to a large amount of asbestos on a very frequent basis. People who have worked as carpenters may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the jobsite.
Carpenters work in various construction activities including woodworking, cabinetry, highway construction, bridge construction, framing, and the installation and removal of building materials. Construction materials manufactured commonly used asbestos. Asbestos, now known to cause mesothelioma cancer among other diseases, was a desirable building material as it was a cheap insulator that is resistant to heat and fire. It is also a strong mineral, making building materials sturdy and durable. Asbestos containing construction materials can include roofing materials, cement, floor and ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, wall insulation, and paints among many other products.
Carpenters are often required to cut, sand, drill, and remove building materials through the course of their work creating dust. Additionally, carpenters were often working close by others who were working to install asbestos materials. When disturbed, asbestos dust is easily made airborne where it can be inhaled, ingested, and stuck to clothing. When small asbestos fibers enter the body, they can become lodged in organ tissue where irritation can lead to the development of mesothelioma cancers and other asbestos diseases.
Today, the amount of asbestos used in construction materials has been reduced, but is still a threat when renovating and remodeling older homes and commercial buildings.
Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Generally, it takes 10 to 60 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Many of the companies have established trust funds to pay compensation to persons injured by asbestos.
If you have mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.
