Thousands of Americans are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases every year, which is a painful reminder that the harms of asbestos are ongoing. Yes, asbestos used to be used much more widely than it is today, but this does not mean the harms of asbestos should be treated as an afterthought.
America still imports tons of raw asbestos into the United States each year, and older buildings built with asbestos may continue to pose a health and public safety threat. Here are three of the most important reasons why asbestos remains a health concern that cannot be ignored.
1. Asbestos Is Not "Banned", Merely Strictly Regulated
In the 1970s, strict guidelines were placed that heavily regulated the use of asbestos in the United States. Still, that does not mean that asbestos is banned. In fact, some industries such as the chlor-alkali industry still heavily rely on asbestos for their products. To put this truth into perspective, the United States imported more than 700 metric tons of raw asbestos into the country in 2016. That is a far cry from being banned.
2. Older Uses of Asbestos Remain an Ongoing Risk
Before asbestos was heavily regulated in the 1970s and its subsequent usage in homes and similar industrial applications ended, the presence of asbestos in construction was nearly ever-present. Look at any building built before the 1970s initiatives to limit asbestos usage, for example, and the odds are extremely high that asbestos-containing materials were used during construction.
When these aging buildings deteriorate or other dangerous events occur — such as the July of 2018 steam pipe explosion in New York City — asbestos fibers can release into the air and expose individuals to the harms of asbestos. Simply put, even older implementations of asbestos create the potential for a harmful asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
3. Research Is Clear That a Single Exposure to Asbestos May Be All That Is Needed for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Current medical and scientific research has shown that there is no safely established level of asbestos exposure. Worse, a single exposure to the harms of asbestos may be all that is necessary to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis 10 or more years down the road.
While it is true that modern research is also showing that repeated exposure to asbestos increases the likelihood of a mesothelioma diagnosis, this does not mean that a single exposure to asbestos should be taken lightly, especially from a legal perspective. A single exposure may have caused your disease, and any negligent party responsible for that exposure ought to be held accountable.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, take legal action with the help of our nationally recognized team at The Ledger Law Firm. Contact us online to discuss your mesothelioma diagnosis and legal claim with a Ledger Law mesothelioma lawyer today.
