If you are facing the consequences of asbestos exposure in the workplace, read on and reach out to our skilled Columbia personal injury lawyer. We are committed to ensuring that you and your health are protected.
What Are the Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace?
Asbestos is a fibrous material that occurs naturally. As a result, asbestos has been used in many different industries and occupations for decades because of its durability and resistance to heat and flame. Though, even before its popularity in the industry heightened, asbestos became linked to health problems. Because of this, over the course of many years, thousands of workers have developed a deadly asbestos-related disease known as mesothelioma.
The dangers of asbestos have been obvious for decades now. For the most part, everyone breathes in trace amounts of asbestos each day because it happens naturally in the environment. However, because asbestos fibers can be inhaled, even short-term exposure to significant levels of asbestos on the job can cause breathing problems, coughing, and shortness of breath. Asbestos has been categorized as a carcinogen (cancer-causing) substance. The most serious health risks come from long-term exposure to asbestos on the job, especially for older people who may have spent years in the workplace before the start of safety standards that protect employees from most asbestos exposure in the modern workplace.
Serious health problems related to asbestos exposure include the following:
- lung cancer
- mesothelioma (a form of cancer that plagues the lining of the chest and abdomen)
- asbestosis (lung inflammation and buildup that can induce coughing, difficulty breathing, and permanent lung damage)
- colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers, and
- abnormalities (thickening and calcification) in the lining of the chest cavity
If you have faced any of the above-mentioned illnesses, do not wait to reach out to our firm today to discuss your legal options.
What Jobs Have a Higher Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Unfortunately, despite health concerns regarding asbestos and the rise in deadly asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is still fairly common and can even be deemed necessary in some lines of work. Below is a list of occupations and industries that have traditionally seen workers exposed to considerable amounts of asbestos:
- construction, renovation, and demolition of commercial and residential buildings
- shipbuilding
- paper mills
- mining
- heating and cooling equipment repair
- automotive repair (especially brake and clutch repair)
- manufacture of products containing asbestos
- roofing, and
- janitorial jobs in buildings that contain deteriorating asbestos.
Contact Our Experienced South Carolina Firm
If you require legal representation for matters of personal injury, elder abuse, or whistleblower protection, look no further than Mann Blake & Jackson Law. To discover more about our services and how we can assist you, contact our firm today.