ASBESTOS SHINGLES

Working regularly with asbestos building shingles can lead to cancer and death

Asbestos removal services are provided by licensed contractors empowered by Congress to perform asbestos abatement projects, so that tradesmen (and the public) are protected from the toxic effects of working with asbestos building shingles and the many other asbestos-containing materials found in old and new buildings.

October 22, 2010 – Up to the mid-1970s, asbestos was widely used in home and commercial construction products, like roof and outdoor building shingles. Workers who regularly perform asbestos roof removal projects risk physical exposure to asbestos materials and the deadly diseases associated with this cancer-causing mineral.

If your home was built or renovated anytime in the last 30 years, its outdoor shingles could very well be made of asbestos. Now, however, most manufacturers use alternative materials to make shingles. Asbestos roofing shingles are less common in buildings constructed today.

But until laws were passed in the 1980s to protect workers and the public from the cancer-causing effects of asbestos, the material was prized for its natural properties which showed a durable resistance to heat, fire, electricity and corrosion. This made it very popular in the construction industry and in shipyard repair work, but its abundant use led to the deaths of thousands of unsuspecting workers over the years, many of whom had no legal options back then.

Asbestos is no longer mined in the United States, but it is still imported and used in construction and automotive products, like brake and clutch systems. Automotive asbestos exposure is still a very real health threat for mechanics and home car enthusiasts.

The dangers of asbestos shingles

The most common type of asbestos shingle was made with Portland cement and asbestos fibers, often referred to as Transite shingles. Asbestos exposure occurs when workers accidentally inhale microscopic fibers that dislodge from these asbestos shingles, or similar products, during daily work activities.

The asbestos cement mixture was handy because it could be molded easily and cut to shape. But when shingles are drilled with holes, or cut with a saw to fit properly, toxic fibers dislodge and become airborne, threatening the safety of an entire worksite. The same danger occurs during home renovation activities, when asbestos shingles are ripped up and indiscriminately shattered during the removal process.

Fortunately, Congress passed laws requiring licensed asbestos abatement contractors to perform this work today. Contractors are trained to follow EPA and OSHA guidelines for safety, and can also provide homeowners with an estimate of the asbestos roof removal cost – if they determined removal is actually necessary. If the shingles are not in poor condition, roofs covered with transite shingles can last up to 100 years.

Legal option

If you worked professionally with construction products like asbestos shingles and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, you may be eligible to receive significant financial compensation. For a free review of your case, please use the communication form on this page and a representative from our firm will respond shortly.