Asbestos In the Home
It is most often the case that exposure to asbestos occurs occupationally. That is, you or a loved one worked in an industry of field where asbestos was present. Typically, these include industrial trades such as insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, etc.
Other industries such as vehicle mechanics, construction workers, painters, sheetrock workers and their ilk also routinely have worked around asbestos. However, as all exposures are relevant , looking at other areas of potential exposure is a necessary element in factoring in all the potential sources of liability as it relates to an injured parties right to just compensation.
This is a task the mesothelioma attorneys and investigators at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason take very seriously. We will not overlook or dismiss any relevant exposure. To that end, and sadly enough, exposure to asbestos can (and often does) occur in one’s own home. Individuals who have never worked in the “trades” per se are often exposed to asbestos during home remodeling projects.
From the smallest of projects to complete overhauls of the home, respirable and dangerous levels of asbestos fibers can be released into the air and breathed in by those living in the home. These exposures are no less dangerous for causing mesothelioma or other lung disease related to asbestos exposure.
Generally speaking the following are examples (but not an exhaustive list) of where asbestos can be found in the home:
- Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement;
- Many older homes may have asbestos insulation;
- Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints;
- Gas-fired heating appliances, such as fireplaces, often used artificial ashes and embers that contained asbestos;
- Any products manufactured before the 1980’s and used for either fireproofing or heat insulation, such as stove-top pads, may have some asbestos compounds;
- Asbestos was used in paper, millboard, and cement sheets as fireproofing and thermal insulation to protect walls and floors near and surrounding woodburning stoves;
- Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives;
- Older homes and buildings most likely have steam and hot water pipes that are covered with asbestos insulation, blanket or tape;
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets are also often insulated with asbestos;
- Asbestos may be present in sheetrock if originally installed prior to the early to mid 1970’s.
If you are having any kind of construction or remodeling performed on a home, building or dwelling built before the mid-1980’s, take all necessary precautions to avoid any exposure to you or loved ones to asbestos. Also, make sure to follow all federal, state and environmental laws to ensure safety as well as avoid any penalties for violations.
If you suspect you have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma, contact our law firm. We specialize in handling only asbestos lawsuits and have helped many of our clients diagnosed with mesothelioma to recover damages quickly and get the best care possible.
