Asbestos: Still a Killer - By: Franklin Mowshowitz

The dangers of asbestos have long been known. Ancient Romans observed a correlation between slaves working with asbestos and lung complications. In modern times, as early as 1898, British health authorities stated that a connection between asbestos workers and lung disease was self-evident. Asbestos was also one of the first pollutants recognized as such in the Clean Air Act that Congress passed in 1970.

One would think that, with the long history of public, official acknowledgment of its dangers, that there would be more awareness and regulation of the flame retardant's dangers. And yet, this is not the case. Over two million tons of asbestos were mined as recently as 2006 in about a dozen countries across the world. In the United States, its use is not universally prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is estimated that over 10,000 Americans die from asbestos-related complications, including one in 125 men over the age of 50. That's a nearly 1% clip. Around 2500 people in America a year die from mesothelioma, a cancer associated with asbestos exposure, yearly. And there are indications that over 1.3 million construction workers are still at risk to develop complications related to asbestos. Though much of this exposure, at least domestically, comes from the hazards associated with renovating existing constructions, the problem is undoubtedly still there, and will be as long as there are old buildings to renovate.

If you are in construction, know what you're working with. Find out what sort of materials are being used at your work site, regardless of whether it's a new project or a renovation. If you're not a worker in the field but are simply around a site, figure out if the construction company is taking the appropriate measures to safeguard against unnecessary contamination. And if you're concerned that you might have been exposed to unsafe construction materials, don't hesitate to contact a well-respected asbestos exposure lawyer. Contamination is serious, and can have life-altering (or life-ending) consequences for those affected.

About the Author

Franklin Mowshowitz, law enthusiast.

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