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Rope - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that is an excellent insulator, and is both flame-retardant and fire-resistant. It was widely used in more than five thousand manufacturing processes and products throughout the twentieth century. Asbestos was most widely used in the manufacture of construction materials and in the ship-building industry.

Asbestos rope and yarn has been used as packing and insulation on jointing and pipes, as around windows, as insulation for electrical equipment, and for a variety of other purposes. Asbestos rope typically contained at least 40% asbestos depending on its function.

The Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos poses serious health hazards because it is made of tiny fibers that can become airborne, and inhaled into the lungs or otherwise ingested. These fibers cannot be excreted once they are in the lungs, and over time and repeated exposure the presence of asbestos fibers leads to the development of lethal lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is a particularly lethal form of cancer because it is very difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific, and in the early stages of the disease may be mistaken for symptoms of influenza or pneumonia. In addition, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and treatments are often ineffective because the disease is diagnosed too late. Of the two thousand Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, only fifty percent will survive more than two years after diagnosis.

The presence of asbestos in residential or commercial buildings is not always a health risk. The fibers are dangerous only when airborne, and if asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and left undisturbed, the chances of this occurring are minimal. The greatest danger is to people who were involved in manufacturing processes that involved the use of asbestos, and people working in construction industries such as ship-building when asbestos products were in use.

Asbestos and your Legal Rights

In 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos in most construction materials, and asbestos use for other industrial purposes became more tightly regulated. However, this ban came far too late for many thousands of workers, even though the dangers of asbestos had been known as early as the 1930s. Many companies that used asbestos in manufacturing did not provide their workers with adequate protection. The greatest tragedy of the use of asbestos is that many thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos unnecessarily.

If you or a family member has developed an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, you may be able to claim financial compensation from the company that was responsible. Compensation can provide for the costs of medical treatment and care, replace lost income if you are unable to work, and provide some justice for the emotional suffering and loss of quality of life that diseases such as mesothelioma inflict on victims and their loved ones. Just as important, the company responsible is held accountable for their failure to protect you from asbestos exposure, and you can obtain some justice for this.

It is important to note that a statute of limitations of two or three years applies in America, meaning that you must begin legal proceedings within this time period to be eligible for compensation. Don't hesitate to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can explain your legal rights, help you gather information about your asbestos exposure, and help you start legal proceedings.

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