According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos is a mineral fiber that can lead to an increased risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Because it is so strong, flexible, heat and water resistant and readily available, asbestos is an inexpensive resource that had a wide variety of uses. More than 3000 different products were made using asbestos ranging from insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, clothing, spray on products, brake pads, plasters, adhesives, packing materials and thousands of other products. Asbestos is everywhere. In the soil, water and air, asbestos permeates much of what we see, touch and feel. Even though virtually everyone is exposed to asbestos, asbestos-related diseases usually occur in people who have worked with fairly high levels of asbestos for a long time, and were not protected.

In the 1960s, asbestos workers began to exhibit increasing symptoms of asbestos related diseases. Since then, scientists have learned about the relationship between asbestos exposure and a variety of diseases. Unfortunately, before the government could impose strict exposure standards for workers and customers, many people and their families were exposed to asbestos.

Typical examples of exposure were:

• Shipyard workers;

• Insulation workers;

• Forge workers handling items that are melted, smelted or cured by heat;

• Construction trades such as plastering, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, roofing, painting and others; and

• Many more uses.

Exposure to asbestos occurs through many different avenues such as:

• Working with asbestos products;

• Working in facilities insulated with asbestos;

• Living with a worker who is regularly exposed to asbestos and then wears those clothes home; and

• Working on construction or remodeling projects where other sub-contractors are using or working with asbestos materials.

Lung cancer and other types of cancer are associated with asbestos exposure. In many cases, these asbestos related diseases can take 15 to 60 years from the time of exposure. Because the medical costs associated with these diseases are enormous and the impact on the victim and their family can be devastating, we are committed to advocating on behalf of victims of asbestos-related diseases to obtain the necessary medical care and recovery for the damage that they have suffered. For more information, contacts us at 215-545-9300 or www.wgdlegal.com.

Selected Asbestos Resources:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

• American Cancer Society - Cancer Reference Information Center

• American Lung Association

• Environmental Protection Agency - The Asbestos Informer

• Environmental Protection Agency – Asbestos Laws and Regulations Page

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Asbestos Page

• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

• National Institute of Building Sciences Asbestos Control Publications

• Library of Congress-Science Reference Services-Asbestos Page