Firefighters and first responders are at increased risk of being exposed to asbestos, a mineral that causes serious respiratory illnesses, including an incurable cancer called mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer.  The recent fire of a former paper plant in Castleton, New York is a current reminder of this fact.
Multiple fire departments responded to [...]

First Responders, especially firefighters, are at higher risk of being exposed to asbestos when battling blazes.  During a fire or building collapse, such as the World Trade Center during 9/11, many dangerous chemicals and toxins are released into the air, including asbestos fibers.  Almost any building built before the 1980’s will contain construction materials that [...]

A few weeks ago we wrote of the dangers of asbestos exposure for the fire fighters who were trying to stop the blazes in Victoria, Australia.  The recovery efforts in response to the bushfires were slowed as many of the buildings that burned were constructed with asbestos-containing materials.
 
Asbestos is a known carcinogen that causes serious [...]