New Information About the Science of Asbestos Poisoning

A recent study sheds light on the genotoxic properties of asbestos fibers, a danger that’s been largely overlooked.

The results of this in vitro study demonstrate that Elongated Mineral Particles (EMPs) like asbestos can trigger adverse effects such as cytotoxicity and redox imbalances. However, EMPs obtained by grinding prismatic amphiboles significantly increase genotoxic damage and the transformation potentiality, highlighting typical asbestos mechanisms of the carcinogenesis process.

Considering these results, further in vivo studies are needed to understand EMPs’ actions better. In addition to clarifying the etiopathological mechanisms induced by their inhalation, a reassessment of current legislation would eventually be necessary to accurately identify the danger and risk due to exposure to these particles produced in a workplace.

The underappreciated and deadly genotoxic properties of asbestos fibers affect both direct and indirect asbestos exposure victims.

For many years, a nationwide asbestos lawyer mostly represented direct exposure victims in court. These victims included:

• Construction Workers: Asbestos, a fireproof mineral, was widely used as a primary insulation ingredient for many years. Its high effectiveness and low cost promoted companies to keep using it despite its high toxicity. In fact, many companies actively covered up the danger.
• Industrial Workers: These employees handled asbestos-laced products and also worked in asbestos-laced facilities. Construction product manufacturers, such as insulation and drywall makers, ran the highest risk. Auto parts manufacturers were also exposed to asbestos. Many auto parts, such as hood liners and brake pads, were almost 100 percent asbestos.
• Shipbuilders: Before 1980, every ship constructed for the U.S. Navy was laced with asbestos. The Navy doubled down on asbestos use after several high-profile fires in the 1960s, most notably a 1967 blaze aboard the USS Forrestal. The footage of this fire is truly horrifying.

Gradually, indirect exposure victims began to dominate the legal landscape. The trend began when take-home asbestos victims connected the dots between a loved one’s employment at an asbestos hotspot or their proximity to an asbestos hotspot, like a mine, and their lung disease.

In future years, disaster-related exposure victims and consumer product-related exposure victims will need and deserve substantial compensation for their serious illnesses.

9/11 may produce thousands of asbestos-exposure victims. When the Twin Towers collapsed, they contained as much as 4,000 tons of asbestos. The resulting toxic cloud then drifted across much of the northeast.

Furthermore, tens of thousands of talc-asbestos victims have already come forward. These two minerals are a bit like salt and pepper. Although they seemingly have nothing in common, salt and pepper are always together on the table, and they are usually together underground. These two minerals have basically the same chemical composition.

Johnson & Johnson knew its talcum powder was contaminated with asbestos, yet it continued to sell the product and aggressively market it, mostly to nonwhite women.

In most states, an asbestos-exposure lawyer has multiple legal options. All these alternatives have some pros and cons.

• Civil Case: These actions usually target the product manufacturer or the property owner. If an asbestos exposure lawyer proves negligence, or a lack of care, substantial compensation is available. However, these cases are very complex.
• Disability Claim: Compensation in matters like workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, and VA disability is usually limited to lost wage replacement and medical bill payment. However, these no-fault claims are easier to prove.

A bankruptcy victim compensation fund claim is a hybrid between these two matters. Technically, a VCF is a civil claim, as an attorney must allege negligence. However, since the defendant is bankrupt, no adverse lawyer challenges the victim/plaintiff’s evidence.

Many bankruptcy VCFs were established in the 1980s when Johns-Mansville and other prominent providers declared bankruptcy rather than face the music in court. Today, these funds still contain billions of dollars.

Mesothelioma victims need and deserve significant compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced nationwide mesothelioma lawyer, contact the Throneberry Law Group. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.