Asbestos

Everyone has probably seen asbestos, whether it be at a construction site or in the back room of your basement covering your pipes. But what exactly is asbestos? Asbestos is a fibrous mineral. Chrysotile is the most common asbestos mineral, and it accounts for about 95% of the asbestos found in buildings in America. Chrysotile is useful because it is sound absorbent, strong, ductile, and resistant to heat, and electrical and chemical damage. It is most commonly used in cement roof sheets typically used for outbuildings, warehouses, and garages. It is also found in flat sheets used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors. Some other uses include pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, and fireproof drywall. Chrysotile may also be used for coating concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement because it cannot catch on fire. In addition, there are many other uses for asbestos .

Once the fibers in the asbestos are disturbed, they become airborne. Anyone who inhales these fibers at its airborne state can put themselves at risk for getting diseases such as Mesothelioma and lung cancer. This is because the fibers attach themselves to one’s lung tissues, and the body cannot get rid of them. There are many professions that commonly expose employees to asbestos, such as building inspectors, carpenters, and drywallers. Since January 1, 2005, the European Union has banned all use of asbestos, as well as its manufacturing and processing for safety purposes.

Because of all the dangers brought on by exposure to asbestos, asbestos litigation is the longest and most expensive tort in U.S. history. A study shows that more than 730,000 people in the United States have filed a lawsuit in hopes of compensation for asbestos-related injuries. From the early 1970s through the end of 2002, these lawsuits have been estimated to cost businesses and insurance companies more than $70 billion. In one major case, W.R. Grace and Company was accused of knowingly exposing miners and residents to asbestos. It is said that because of W.R. Grace and Company, 1,200 people became ill and a few even died. They agreed to pay $250 million as compensation to have their mess cleaned up.

Many of the asbestos cases filed by people are often fake and are brought about only to collect false compensation. Asbestos manufacturing companies and other companies that deal with asbestos are going bankrupt because of the thousands of lawsuits filed against them. W.R. Grace and Company is one example of a company that has become bankrupt due to asbestos. Another example is General Electric, which has paid more than $500 million in compensation of asbestos lawsuits.

Asbestos that remains undisturbed has many uses that have yet to be mimicked with a safer alternative. On the other hand, once the asbestos becomes airborne, it causes hazardous diseases and it is causing many companies in the industry to become bankrupt. What is the fate of asbestos? Only time can tell!