Asbestos Exposure Information

Asbestos exposure can have deadly consequences and can be traced to various cancers, including mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral which is easily separated into thin, microscopic threads. These fibers are strong, flexible, heat resistant and do not conduct electricity. 

For nearly five thousand years, people have recognized the desirable properties of asbestos. Unfortunately, for nearly as long, its dangers have also been in evidence. The very nature of the mineral’s thin fibers, and the ease with which they are released into the air, is the root of its danger. When these fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and, over time, can cause serious asbestos illnesses.

The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Most of the people exposed to asbestos have worked hard their entire lives. They have literally built our country, including the products that make it strong. At hundreds of job sites across the United States, thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, putting their health, even their lives, at risk.

Unfortunately, direct exposure is not always necessary to have an increased risk of an asbestos-related illness. Simply working around the dangerous material can be enough to expose someone to a dangerous level of asbestos. Family members of those directly exposed to asbestos are also at risk if they inhale fibers brought home on work clothes. This is called “take-home” or “paraoccupational” exposure and can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Who is at risk? 

Companies
From the Industrial Revolution through the 1980s, many companies used asbestos in manufacturing without significant regulation. This section lists many of those companies.

Occupations
Workers from a wide range of industries were exposed to asbestos. This section lists some of those occupations.

Products
Throughout the years, thousands of products contained asbestos and therefore put you, and your families, at risk. This section contains a list of many of these products.

Learn more about:

       >>  Diseases Linked to Asbestos

       >>  Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis