ASBESTOS COMMERCIAL USE

Asbestos enjoyed broad commercial use because unconscionable employers and product manufacturers downplayed its dangers

June 11, 2010 – The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that 3,000 different types of commercial products in use today contain asbestos, a cancer-causing material linked to thousands of deaths every year.

According to the EPA, asbestos is strong yet flexible, and resists fire and heat. It conducts electricity poorly, and insulates effectively. It also resists corrosion.

The broad commercial use of asbestos products in the construction, automotive and maritime industries is attributable to these properties. Workers in these industries are those who are most vulnerable to asbestos exposure and diseases, including mesothelioma.

Commercial use of asbestos

The amount of asbestos in each commercial product varies from as little as one percent to as much as 100 percent. Many automotive and construction products contain asbestos, such as gaskets, hoodliners, disc brakes, clutches, steam pipe wraps and asbestos wallboard.

Commercial use of asbestos was so broad during the 20th century that, according to the EPA, there are asbestos containing materials in most of the nation's approximately 107,000 primary and secondary schools and 733,000 public and commercial buildings. Government sources report a high incidence of mesothelioma deaths among school teachers, for example.

History of asbestos commercial use

Commercial use of asbestos began in the United States in the early 1900's, primarily to insulate steam engines. Beginning with World War II, and for the following 35 years, construction workers, automotive workers, and Navy veterans used tons of the toxic mineral in everyday applications.

Few history books will disclose this, but literally thousands of Navy veterans have died of occupational asbestos exposure. That’s because certain asbestos product manufacturers failed to issue warnings or disclose medical information they possessed about the dangers of working with asbestos-based products.

Certain asbestos companies were well aware of the health hazards of working with asbestos, but many unconscionably withheld this vital information from employees and the general public to save on expenses and to broaden sales margins. This crime has been proven hundreds of times in court, resulting in large verdicts and settlements for asbestos-injured workers who file asbestos claims.

Seek compensation

It takes an accomplished law firm to obtain the maximum compensation an asbestos-injured worker is entitled to. Weitz & Luxenberg is that law firm.

Our attorneys specialize in asbestos-injury litigation and are recognized coast to coast for securing record-setting verdicts and settlements for workers who have fallen ill (sometimes decades later) from occupational asbestos exposure.

Protect your family’s financial future today by obtaining a free appraisal of your case through the communication form at left.