Asbestos

Dangers of Improper Asbestos Disposal

November 27, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

It is crucial to handle asbestos safely. People should avoid performing asbestos removal themselves. Asbestos removal is a job that should be left to professionals. Ensuring that asbestos is disposed of correctly after removal is also crucial. Asbestos or asbestos-contaminated products should not be dumped just anywhere. Failure to properly dispose of asbestos can put people around the asbestos in danger. Any individual who wants to remove asbestos from a property should ensure that they seek the help of professionals. Hiring an asbestos abatement company is the only way to remove and dispose of asbestos safely.

The Proper Way of Disposing of Asbestos

When property owners want to remove asbestos, they must follow the proper steps. Failure to follow the right steps can put many people in danger. The first step to ensure proper removal and disposal of asbestos is hiring a certified asbestos abatement company. The first thing an asbestos abatement company will do is determine if asbestos is present. Sometimes, a person might think that asbestos is present when it really isn’t. If it is determined that asbestos is present, the next step will be to apply for permits. No demolition or renovation can begin until permits have been granted.

Mesothelioma Breath Test May Lead to Early Diagnosis

November 3, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

For people who have been exposed to asbestos, either directly or through secondary/second-hand exposure, one thing that is constantly on their minds is the possibility of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma develops in the tissue layer that covers most internal organs. There are different types of mesothelioma. They are pleura mesothelioma (the most common), peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and testicular mesothelioma (the least common). According to statistics, there are around 3,000 new mesothelioma cases in the U.S. annually. Unfortunately, often, mesothelioma is diagnosed when it has progressed to late stages. This usually means an unfavorable prognosis, or in other words, a low chance of treatment success. A new mesothelioma breath test may allow mesothelioma patients to get early diagnoses.

Mesothelioma Breath Test Study Reveals Encouraging Results

Recently, Belgian scientists explained the results of their mesothelioma breath test study (MESOBREATH 5). While the study is in the early stages, the results gathered so far show that there is hope. From the start of last year, 121 people with a history of asbestos exposure dating back to at least 30 years ago underwent breath testing. Seven out of the 121 people have already been confirmed to have mesothelioma. Those seven received the same testing as the others as a control. Each of the seven confirmed mesothelioma patients tested positive for the illness two years in a row, indicating that the breath test can detect mesothelioma.

Crucial Things You Should Know About Secondary Asbestos Exposure

October 26, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

There are two types of asbestos exposure — primary and secondary exposure. Primary asbestos exposure, also called occupational exposure, occurs when someone who works with asbestos or asbestos-containing materials suffers exposure at work. Occupations at great risk of asbestos exposure include construction, firefighting, power plant, shipyard, mining, factory, and boiler work. Secondary exposure, which is also called second-hand exposure, is when someone who does not directly work with asbestos or asbestos-contaminated materials suffers asbestos exposure. Most people know about primary asbestos exposure, but some people do not know about secondary exposure. Some people do not know that secondary asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Below, we share some crucial things you need to know about secondary asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Fibers are Not Confined to a Work Space

Asbestos fibers are not confined to a work environment. These tiny fibers can find their way out of a work environment. Asbestos fibers can get stuck on, for example, a construction worker’s clothes, hair, or skin. The worker can then unknowingly carry the asbestos fibers home. This may then lead to the people living with the construction workers suffering asbestos exposure. For example, the worker’s spouse may suffer asbestos exposure when cleaning asbestos-contaminated clothes. This is how secondary asbestos exposure occurs.

Can a Dust Mask Protect From Asbestos?

March 14, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos is quite hazardous. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos can lead to various illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Because of this, it is vital for people at risk of encountering asbestos to protect themselves. For construction workers and carpenters, for instance, wearing a dust mask protects them from dust and dirt. A dust mask is a standard part of PPE in many workplaces. But can a dust mask protect from asbestos?

The general rule is that a dust mask is insufficient to protect from asbestos. A simple dust mask may not be enough to prevent a person from developing an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma. Indeed, a dust mask may stop some asbestos fibers, but it is not enough. It is best not to trust a dust mask to protect from asbestos and asbestos-related illnesses.

The Risk of Asbestos

Legacy Asbestos: Some Crucial Information You Should Have

March 3, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos is a substance that can cause several life-threatening diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. This dangerous mineral is no longer used as frequently as it was many years ago because of strict regulations. Unfortunately, even though asbestos is no longer being used as it was before the 1980s, there is a significant risk of people being exposed to legacy asbestos.

What is Legacy Asbestos?

Legacy asbestos was put in place before governments started regulating the use of asbestos, but it still presents a hazard. The passing of time and forgetting of asbestos that was put in place many years ago is what causes asbestos to become legacy asbestos. Unfortunately, most people do not know that legacy asbestos exists, and that is what makes legacy asbestos so dangerous.

How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?

January 28, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos is a mineral found in soil and rock. This mineral is made up of tiny fibers which can be inhaled or ingested. After someone is exposed to asbestos, they may end up developing different diseases. Mesothelioma is one of the common diseases people suffer after exposure to asbestos. If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may wonder how much asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma. You probably think that something else caused your or your loved one’s mesothelioma, especially if you or your loved one have not been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period.

So, how much asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma? Any level of asbestos exposure is dangerous and can cause mesothelioma. It is possible to develop mesothelioma even after exposure to asbestos once or for a short time. However, prolonged asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. Most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos for several years. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers can relocate in different body parts after prolonged exposure and lead to different forms of mesothelioma.

Do All the People Who are Exposed to Asbestos Develop Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma and Improper Asbestos Disposal

December 27, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

The disposal of asbestos must be tackled in a specific manner. Improper disposal of asbestos can put people at risk of suffering asbestos exposure, thus developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. Even if the fibers are outdoors, they can be kicked up high enough for someone to inhale them. Because of how dangerous improper asbestos disposal can be, it is crucial for anyone removing asbestos to involve a professional. Asbestos abatement professionals are highly trained to follow the correct procedures. On top of putting the lives of others at risk, anyone who disposes of asbestos improperly faces serious fines or penalties if they break one of the laws regulating asbestos removal and disposal. Asbestos abatement professionals are highly trained to follow the laid down rules.

Homeowners and Asbestos Abatement and Disposal

Sometimes landowners decide to remove and dispose of asbestos on their own. However, this is risky. If a property owner believes they have asbestos on their property, certain steps must be taken to ensure the dangerous mineral is removed and disposed of in a safe manner. If a landowner decides to handle the removal and disposal of asbestos on their own, they put a lot of people in danger. They also risk facing fines and penalties if they break one of the laws regulating asbestos removal and disposal.

What are the Signs of Asbestos Exposure?

December 9, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Asbestos was once widely used in the United States of America. This material is not yet banned in the U.S., but its use has drastically reduced over the years. When asbestos is contained, it is generally not harmful. On the other hand, if asbestos is damaged or disturbed, it can pose serious health risks. If asbestos is disturbed, asbestos fibers can become airborne. When asbestos fibers become airborne, people can inhale them and develop serious health conditions.

Who is Most Likely to Get Exposed to Asbestos?

Long ago, asbestos was widely used in several industries across the United States. The people who worked in industries that frequently used asbestos were at the greatest risk of being directly exposed to asbestos. If, for example, a person worked as a shipyard worker, construction worker, demolition worker, carpenter, or painter, they might have been at a greater risk of being directly exposed to asbestos. Even today, people working in certain industries are at great risk of being directly exposed to asbestos.

Workers’ Compensation for Mesothelioma

November 16, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Occupational asbestos exposure is quite common. Some of the high-risk jobs include construction, firefighting, engineering, sheet metal fabrication, and roofing. After a worker develops mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation if they suffered asbestos exposure while on the job. However, before selecting workers’ compensation as the compensation option, it is crucial that a mesothelioma patient fully understands all their legal options. There are many other ways of seeking compensation after developing mesothelioma due to occupational asbestos exposure. Before filing a workers’ compensation claim, a mesothelioma patient should speak to a qualified lawyer. There may be another way to recover more compensation.

Workers’ Compensation for Mesothelioma Victims

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance employers are required to have. This form of insurance compensates employees who are injured or who develop illnesses because of their job. However, when a person files a workers’ compensation claim, they usually lose the right to file a lawsuit against their employer. People who get exposed to asbestos while at work and who end up developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible for workers’ compensation.

Why is it Hard to Diagnose Mesothelioma?

October 14, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops after a person is exposed to asbestos. There is no cure for mesothelioma. The good news, however, is that there are several treatment options available for mesothelioma patients. But, to have a good chance of fighting the disease, mesothelioma patients need to be diagnosed early before the disease has reached its later stages. Treating mesothelioma when it has reached its later stages is usually difficult. Unfortunately, most people who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis will also be told their prognosis is not good. Many people are getting diagnosed with mesothelioma when the disease has reached its later stages.

So, what makes it hard to diagnose mesothelioma? The following are five reasons why diagnosing mesothelioma is difficult.

People Assume Asbestos is Banned