Throughout the 20th century, tons of asbestos were mined in our country and put in thousands of everyday products. Asbestos was very inexpensive and was used as filler in many different products throughout many different industries. For example, asbestos was widely used in linoleum, tiles, adhesives and masonry cements.
There are a number of different jobs where workers were exposed to a large amount of asbestos on a very frequent basis. People who have worked as masons, tile layers, and linoleum layers may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the jobsite.
Asbestos was widely used in construction products. The mineral gained its popularity because its mineral properties made it strong, durable, non-conductive and resistant to heat and flame.
Tiles, linoleum and masonry cement were among these construction products that often contained asbestos putting masons and tile and linoleum layers at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos was added as a filler to many tile materials including vinyl, linoleum, rubber and asphalt because it's strength made it resistant to wear and tear while adding fire-proofing benefits to structures. Asbestos was also very adhesive, making it a popular additive to many of the adhesive glues and backings used to lay tile and in masonry cement used by masons to construct walls.
While intact, asbestos products are not dangerous. When it is disturbed, asbestos becomes a hazard as tiny asbestos fibers are released in the air. Routine job tasks required by masons and tile layers caused damage to these products during both the removal and installation of tile as they as they removed old walls and tiles and fit new tile & linoleum by sawing, cutting, sanding and drilling materials. These tasks created asbestos dust that can be made airborne during handling or when sweeping and dusting jobsites. Once these tiny fibers are airborne they can easily be inhaled or ingested causing damage to organ tissue that may develop into mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer, or other asbestos diseases.
Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Generally, it takes 10 to 60 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Many of the companies have established trust funds to pay compensation to persons injured by asbestos.
If you have mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.
