What is Asbestos?

as·bes·tos (s-bsts, z-)

Asbestos is a naturally occurring rock form of magnesium silicate. It as mined by corporations fur use in a variety of products such as gaskets, rope packing, brake linings, pipe covering, joint compounds, cement, roofing materials and other insulation products. Click here for a list of asbestos containing products.

There are six types of asbestos - three of which have been used commercially. These are white (chrysotile), blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos. Over 90% of all asbestos ever used was the white asbestos.

During the installation, repair, maintenance, renovation and removal of asbestos materials, the products were cut, scraped, sanded and otherwise altered. Some materials, such as cements, were mixed at job sites using raw asbestos fibers. These processes created dust, which was breathed in by the laborers working with and around these materials. Dust from these products also traveled throughout buildings and factories and ships, and remained airborne for weeks. When swept, these materials were re-suspended in the air, where they were breathed in again by workers in the vicinity.

The dangers of asbestos were known to the companies that made these products as early as the 1920s. However, asbestos was sold and used without warnings up until the 1980s -- when most asbestos products were banned in the United States and other countries. Alternative materials were available that could have been used in place of asbestos.

A wide array of workers were exposed to asbestos including shipyard workers, factory workers, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, plumbers, laborers, machinists, mechanics, powerhouse workers, and electricians. One cloud of dust from asbestos products can contain millions or billions of fibers, and even a small amount of asbestos can cause lung damage. Mesothelioma has been diagnosed in family members of workers exposed to asbestos, learn more.

Often, individuals won't recall how they were exposed to asbestos, and may believe that they were not exposed to asbestos at all. A careful examination and review of a person's work and life history often reveals exposures to asbestos products that may not be readily apparent.

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What is asbestos?

What types of injuries are caused by asbestos?

What trades and occupations work with asbestos?

What types of products contain asbestos?

Could I have been exposed to asbestos in my home?

Why was asbestos used in building and insulation products?

What did companies know and when did they know it?

What is Mesothelioma? How do you get Mesothelioma?

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?

How is Mesothelioma diagnosed?

What is the medical staging of Mesothelioma?

What are the treatment options for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma?

How do I locate and participate in clinical trials?

What Legal Options Are Available To Individuals Injured By Asbestos?

If I Don't Remember How I was Exposed To Asbestos, What Can I Do?

What Are The Stages Of The Lawsuit And What Is My Involvement?

How Do You Prove Which Asbestos Companies Are Responsible For My Injury?

Will You File My Case As A Class Action Or As An Individual Lawsuit?

What If My Loved One Had Died Or Is Too Sick To Speak To An Attorney?

Do I Have To Pay For The Costs Of My Lawsuit?

Are There Time Limits For Filing A Legal Claim?

If I Smoked Cigarettes, Can I Still File A Claim Against The Asbestos Companies?

Which Companies Are Sued In Asbestos Cases?

I Have Read About Many Asbestos Companies Filing For Bankruptcy, How Do These Bankruptcies Affect My Case?

Which Asbestos Companies Are Bankrupt Or Out Of Business?

How Can I Find Out If I Should File An Asbestos Lawsuit?

Is There Going To Be A Trial In My Lawsuit?

How Long Will It Take For My Lawsuit To Be Completed?

How Do I Know That Belluck & Fox Will Treat My Family With Dignity And Give Individual Attention To My Case?

Can I Contact You On Behalf Of My Father, Husband Or Relative?