Asbestos Insulation

Asbestos insulation is the asbestos-containing building material that was manufactured and used heavily in construction from the 1930s to the 1970s. Asbestos insulation was a desirable product to use in building construction because asbestos is durable, flexible, highly resistant to heat and chemicals, and virtually indestructible. In the mid 1970s, asbestos insulation and thousands of additional asbestos-containing products were linked to certain types of cancer and other serious health conditions. These findings prompted the discontinued use of asbestos insulation for almost all construction applications.

Asbestos insulation still poses a serious threat to human health. Even though asbestos insulation and other asbestos products are no longer used in construction applications, many structures still house these materials. In fact, construction workers face an increased risk of dangerous asbestos exposure in buildings that currently contain asbestos insulation and other asbestos building materials including roofing, siding, piping, ceiling material, and more.

Asbestos insulation becomes dangerous when the asbestos fibers in the material breakdown and become airborne. The term used to describe an asbestos fiber's propensity to be released into the environment is friable. Asbestos insulation is often more friable than other products. When the asbestos insulation fibers are released into the air, inhalation or ingestion of these unseen fibers can cause serious harm to human health.

Asbestos insulation has been linked to several forms of cancer, the most notable of which is mesothelioma , a rare cancer that affects the linings of various organs in the body. Approximately 2,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and thousands more die.

Asbestos insulation can also cause asbestosis, or scarring of the lung tissue, which can be fatal if not properly treated. Lung cancer and a variety of other cancers can also be the result of dangerous exposure to asbestos insulation and other asbestos containing materials.

It is important to remember that asbestos insulation must be handled with caution. In many cases it is more harmful to manipulate and disturb asbestos insulation than to leave intact asbestos insulation alone. Asbestos insulation is dangerous only when its integrity is compromised and asbestos fibers are released into the environment.

If you know or suspect that a given structure contains asbestos insulation, there are trained professionals available to evaluate building materials in order to determine their level of danger. These abatement professionals evaluate the asbestos insulation to determine the best course of action.

People who have suffered injury as a result of exposure to dangerous asbestos insulation may be eligible to seek compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or similar asbestos-related condition as a result of asbestos exposure, you may wish to confer with an asbestos attorney who can help you understand your legal rights. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with one of our experienced asbestos attorneys.

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