Asbestos

What is Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral made up of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen and various metals. There are 3 major forms of asbestos; chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite.

Where can Asbestos be found

Due to the versatility of asbestos, including its strength, flexibility and resistance to fire, use of the product was widespread throughout the home and work place. A large number of construction products, including cement, sealants, cement pipe, roofing shingles, wall insulation, pipe insulation, ceiling panels and floor tiles are made of asbestos.  In addition, various automotive parts (breaks, clutches and engine gaskets) and electrical components (wire, cable, arc chutes and explosion proof fittings) contain asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. If asbestos particles are inhaled, scarring of the lung tissue called pulmonary asbestosis may result. It may also cause lung cancer.  After exposure to asbestos it can take 10 or more years to get sick.  The latency  period of asbestos exposure is 10 to 30 or more years. The microscopic fibers of asbestos that are retained in the lung tissue may result in scarring of the alveoli; small air-containing pockets within the lungs.  Scarring due to asbestos exposure may not be visible on an x-ray or CT-scan for many years after initial exposure. 

Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which cancerous cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs including the lung (pleura) and stomach (peritoneum). Different from other asbestos-related diseases, even very low exposures to asbestos can lead to the growth of malignant mesothelioma. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, but family members have also developed the disease. 

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of Mesothelioma may not be noticeable for upwards of 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms include: shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, accumulation of fluid in the lung or stomach. Other symptoms of mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Asbestos, Mesothelioma and Your Rights

Persons diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers, including lung cancer, can bring claims even if they recovered for non-malignant asbestosis in the past. Even though some manufacturers of asbestos products have filed for bankruptcy, Wilentz has worked for decades to identify viable companies that sold, distributed and installed asbestos products and equipment, that contained asbestos components, or owned and maintained premises, throughout New Jersey and NewYork, which were unsafe due to the presence of asbestos.

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