What is Asbestos?
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Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals which form long tiny fibers, commonly used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. For many years asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them, provide heat insulation and make them fire resistant.
Usually, asbestos is combined with a binding material so that it is not readily released into the air. However, if asbestos should become airborne and is inhaled, it can remain in the lungs for a long period of time, producing the risk for severe health problems that do not appear until many years later. More than 3,000 products in use today contain asbestos. Most of these are materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring.
Common Products Possibly Containing Asbestos
Some of the more common products that may contain asbestos include:
- Pipe and duct insulation.
- Building insulation
- Wall and ceiling panels
- Carpet underlays
- Roofing materials
- Artificial fireplaces and associated materials
- Patching and spackling compounds
- Brake pads and linings.
- Pot holders and ironing board pads
- Hair dryers
- Floor tiles
- Electrical wires
- Textured paints
- Cements
- Toasters and other similar household appliances
- Furnaces and furnace door gaskets.
Product Labeling
Products containing asbestos are often not labeled as such. Contact the manufacturer to find out if asbestos is present. Or call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (800-638-2772) for information about whether a product contains asbestos.
If you want to learn more about Mesothelioma and how it affects you please visit our links page. Please contact us for an initial consultation regarding your case.
Heard Robins Cloud & Black LLP
3800 Buffalo Speedway, 5th Floor, Houston TX 77098
(713) 650-1200 | Toll free (800) 499-1797
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