Mesothelioma and Asbestos Law Blog

Minnesota teachers may be among other school faculty across the country who are growing increasingly concerned about possible health hazards in the workplace. Many school buildings that exist today were built decades ago, which, in some cases, places teachers, students and visitors at risk for certain health problems. A teacher in another state was devoted to her students for more than 30 years before learning she had contracted a terminal illness that was likely caused by asbestos exposure at the school where she taught.

There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Employers are legally obligated to provide all necessary information, training and equipment to keep workers as safe as possible. It seems there is an ongoing problem in many schools across the country due to asbestos issues.

In Minnesota and across the country, there are undoubtedly some jobs that are more dangerous than others. Teaching in a local elementary or high school would not typically be considered a profession that includes a high risk for personal injury. As made evident by a teacher's current health condition in another state, however, it appears mesothelioma and other asbestos exposure injuries are of great concern.

Many school buildings in this state were erected long ago. The ceiling tiles, insulation and flooring in such buildings often contain asbestos. There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure.

Sitting in a chair in front of a doctor's desk and hearing him or her tell you that you have a terminal lung disease is a devastating and life-changing experience. Perhaps, you could not name your illness as asbestosis, but you knew something was not right because you haven't been feeling well for a long time. Like many others in Minnesota with similar illnesses, it may have been a lingering cough or chest pain that ultimately prompted you to seek a medical diagnosis of your condition.

Asbestosis is typically contracted by inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers. The problem is that particles that are microscopic cannot be seen without a microscope, so you can be regularly exposed to them and not know it. This is why it is so important for employers, for instance, to immediately inform their employees if they are aware of an asbestos problem in the workplace.

In Minnesota and most other states throughout the country, there are hidden dangers lurking in people's homes, in schools, factories and other community locations. Asbestos exposure remains problematic in many regions. One of the biggest problems is that the fibers that are so dangerous to human health are microscopic. This is why it pays to learn as much as possible about asbestos and what to do or not do if it is discovered in a particular area.

One of the worst things that a person can do if he or she believes asbestos has been located in home materials or elsewhere is to try to remove it. In fact, the more a product or material containing asbestos is touched or disturbed, the greater the risk that particles will be released into the air and ingested or inhaled by unsuspecting people. There are certified abatement workers who know exactly what to do and how to keep danger risks as low as possible when clearing an area of asbestos.