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What Are the Main Ways Asbestos Becomes Airborne?
Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of environments. In Minnesota, many individuals have been exposed to asbestos through their work, especially in industries that use asbestos-containing products or where asbestos is naturally present, such as in mining. Additionally, asbestos exposure can occur in the home through products that contain asbestos or through contact with a family member who worked with asbestos.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous When It Becomes Airborne?
Asbestos is a hazardous substance, and there is no safe level of exposure. When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled into the lungs, leading to serious health problems such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases. The fibers are microscopic, making them difficult to detect, but they can travel in the air and pose significant health risks when inhaled.
How Does Asbestos Typically Become Airborne?
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry identifies several common scenarios where asbestos dust becomes airborne. These include:
- Weathering or Erosion of Asbestos Deposits: As natural asbestos deposits break down over time, fibers can be released into the air.
- Crushing Rock with Asbestos Deposits: Mining or breaking apart rock containing asbestos fibers can make them airborne.
- Renovating or Demolishing Buildings: Activities like cutting, crushing, or handling asbestos-containing materials during construction or demolition can release dangerous dust.
- Handling Asbestos-Containing Products: Products such as talc or vermiculite that contain asbestos can release fibers when disturbed.
- Gardening in Asbestos-Containing Soil: Soil that naturally contains asbestos can release fibers when disturbed during gardening.
- Cleaning or Other Activities: Everyday cleaning and maintenance activities can stir up asbestos dust in older buildings.
What Can I Do to Prevent Asbestos from Becoming Airborne?
There are several precautionary measures to take to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure, especially in environments where asbestos-containing materials may be present:
- Proper Training and Equipment for Workers: People who work with asbestos should receive proper training on how to handle the material safely and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as particulate masks or ventilators.
- Avoid Disturbing Asbestos in Older Homes: People living in older homes should avoid disturbing materials that may contain asbestos, such as insulation, siding, flooring, and popcorn ceiling materials installed between the 1950s and 1970s.
- Consult an Asbestos Professional: If you live in an older home and are concerned about asbestos, consider reaching out to a certified asbestos contractor or your state/local environmental protection agency for professional removal services.
- Short-Term Solution: If you believe there’s asbestos in your home or immediate area, wetting down the materials can temporarily reduce airborne dust. However, this is a short-term solution, and professional removal is recommended for long-term safety.
Is It Possible to Completely Avoid Asbestos?
Avoiding asbestos entirely is extremely challenging. Many employers failed to warn workers about the risks of asbestos exposure, leaving them at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases. Similarly, manufacturers sold consumer products containing asbestos without proper warnings, and this still occurs today.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, there is a good chance you were unaware of the risks when you were exposed. Companies responsible for your exposure may be liable for your suffering. If you are a Minnesota resident and believe you were exposed to asbestos, the mesothelioma attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. can help identify your sources of exposure and explore your compensation options.
How Can Sieben Polk P.A. Help You?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, Sieben Polk P.A. is ready to help. Our Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and compensation options. Contact us today to get started with your case.
