IRONING BOARD COVERS
Worn ironing-board covers pose asbestos health risks

February 4, 2009 -- Many ironing boards are made out of some kind of metal or wood, and require “ironing board covers” to insulate the boards from heat and to provide a degree of cushioning to more easily remove wrinkles from clothes.

In the past, ironing board covers were manufactured with asbestos because of its recognized heat-resistant property.

Replace old ironing board covers

Though newer ironing board covers do not generally pose a risk of asbestos exposure, covers should be replaced if they begin to fray or develop cuts in the material.

If damaged covers are made with asbestos, asbestos fibers can become airborne and infiltrate the lungs leading to severe respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Ironing board covers made before 1990 should be replaced immediately, especially if they are becoming worn. Avoid picking up an ironing board cover at a garage sale. You don’t know how old it is, nor what it is made of. It may contain asbestos, which could put your family at risk.

The truth about asbestos

Despite the potentially fatal health consequences associated with asbestos exposure, asbestos is still imported and used in the United States. The United States imported and used an estimated 1,820 tons of asbestos in 2007, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Government sources estimate that in the next decade more than 35,000 people nationwide will be diagnosed with the deadliest form of asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.

Time to seek justice!

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any asbestos-related disease, and you seek FREE legal guidance, please notify us through the convenient communication form on this page. We will pursue your claim with vigilance to help you pay for medical bills, future and past lost wages, and damages. There is no cost to you until we negotiate a settlement or win a verdict.