Over the past two decades asbestos has become almost synonymous with disease and death. The public’s introduction to the substance, which has been used for over a hundred years in industrial settings, was as hundreds of lawsuits were filed against manufacturers and companies which exposed workers to the deadly substance without the proper warnings were protections. Though most people probably do not know what asbestos is, those who are familiar with the substance probably believe that it has been banned. However, asbestos it is still legal in the United States and continues to be used in manufacturing processes across the country.

Besides the fact that asbestos is still legal, even if it were not the substance would be with the American population for tens, or even hundreds, of years to come. This is because asbestos was used extensively during its heyday, and has been incorporated in millions of the nation’s buildings and structures. This continued use, coupled with asbestos’ extensive prevalence the country, seems to indicate that there will be a continuing increase in the number of asbestos related diseases reported on an annual basis.

In the following video you can see more about current debate regarding asbestos and whether or not it should be banned totally, or if some kinds of asbestos should continue to be used.

http://youtu.be/RZm7u6z6tLI

The continued availability of asbestos in the market, and its use in the manufacture of various products continues to put the public at risk of potential contamination. If you have been exposed to asbestos, and have developed an asbestos related diseasesuch as mesothelioma, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP  at  (800) 598-0314 immediately. Or contact us online for a free consultation.

Asbestos exposure has been proven to cause such terminal illnesses as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and also asbestosis. Considering the fact that asbestos has been used by mankind for thousands of years, many people wonder how it could be so dangerous and just how asbestos causes these debilitating diseases. As will be seen in the following video, the primary reason asbestos is harmful to humans has to do with what happens in the human respiratory system when asbestos is inhaled.

As can be seen from the video above asbestos is not dangerous to touch. For this reason most experts say that simply having asbestos in a home or building is not enough to cause the structure’s occupants to fall ill. The danger of asbestos lies in its propensity to irritate the human respiratory system, which causes scarring and can lead to long-term illnesses. Though no one would want to live in an asbestos treated home if given the option, the fact is that most experts say that so long as asbestos is not disturbed or inhaled, it poses relatively little health risks.

If you or someone you know has suffered the results of asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP  at  (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation

Mesothelioma is a rare in complex cancer caused exclusively by exposure to asbestos.  Because mesothelioma it is so rare, researchers believe that it is often misdiagnosed.  Sadly, mesothelioma is a rapidly moving cancer, which often kills its victims within just months of diagnosis.

Some facts related to mesothelioma:

• The United States sees about 2000 to 3000 new mesothelioma diagnoses per year
• According to the most recent research, mesothelioma is generally developed about 25 to 50 years after the victim’s initial exposure to asbestos.
• Despite an apparent peak in the number of mesothelioma diagnosis in the United States, worldwide the incidence of mesothelioma diagnoses are continuing to rise annually.
• Researchers estimate that this rare form of cancer affects between 2% to 10% of the total number of people who have had heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos.
• Men are over four times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women.
• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 1940 and 1978 11 million people were exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease which is caused exclusively by exposure to asbestos.  Scientists are still discovering exactly how process of developing mesothelioma works, but there is no doubt that its sole cause is asbestos exposure.  When a person develops this deadly disease, often times they have long since stopped being exposed to asbestos.  Hence, it may be necessary to retrace one’s history in order to accurately pinpoint the most likely source of the exposure.  The family of TV personality Ed Lauter, who developed an asbestos related disease, has now identified former TV Networks as the source of his asbestos exposure.

On October 16, 2013 Ed Lauter succumbed to mesothelioma, just five months after his diagnosis.  The wife of the prolific TV actor and standup comedian, who reportedly had roles in over 200 TV and film series before passing away just two weeks before his 75th birthday, claims that he was exposed to asbestos while working on set. She has now initiated a series of lawsuits, seeking unspecified damages.

The revelation of the lawsuit is just the latest reminder to the public of just how prevalent asbestos was, and still is, in American society. Considering mesothelioma has been shown to only be caused by asbestos exposure, it is certain that this is what killed Ed Lauter.

Brayton Purcell, LLP — Call us at  (800) 598-0314 or contact us online for a free consultation