Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog
Our mesothelioma plaintiff lawyers understand how dangerous it is to work in an environment where asbestos is present.
According to a recent news article from The Plainsman, the renovation of an Auburn university class building will require asbestos abatement. Solvents used in the installation of the floor tiles, as well as fireproofing materials, have been found to contain asbestos and must be removed during the construction process.
The process to remove asbestos required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require the title and the asbestos containing mastic to be dissolved with solvents. It would be much faster and cheaper to sand or grind the material, but that would greatly increase the amount of asbestos fibers that are released into the air.
In order to keep workers safe from the vapors emitted from the solvents, an exhaust system must be used that contains HEPA filters designed to trap asbestos fibers, so they are not released outside of the building. School officials are announcing that, just because there may be an odor from the solvents noticeable outside of the classroom, this does not mean there is any danger of asbestos exposure.
Once the asbestos removal is complete, the law requires that air-monitoring equipment be utilized to insure that the area is safe for students and faculty to return.
Despite all of these safety precautions, workers are still at risk of being exposed to the deadly fibers, and OSHA has provided asbestos removal safety protocols that must be followed to reduce the risk to those handling the removal process. This requires wearing a respirator and protective clothing. These safety precautions are largely the result of the facts that came out during mesothelioma lawsuits.
If inhaled, asbestos fibers can be come lodged in the out layer of tissue known as the mesothelium. There is no way for the human body to remove the fibers and doctors are not able to do so either. Once embedded in the mesothelium, they can cause the deadly cancer known as mesothelioma over the course of 20 to 50 years.
The length of time it takes for mesothelioma is one of the more complicated issues in the litigation process. While there is no question that asbestos causes mesothelioma, it is necessary for plaintiffs to prove when and where they were exposed to asbestos.
While the facts of every case are different, and you should speak with your attorney about your particular institution, if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, one of the most important things you can do is make of list of all of the places you have ever worked or lived. From there, you can contact friends or coworkers who can testify about the presence of asbestos.
If you have done this, it will assist our lawyers in the preparation of your cases and may increase the chances obtaining a fair and appropriate recovery though a settlement, or after a jury verdict, if the case goes to trial.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Boston, call for a free and confidential appointment at (617) 777-7777.
Additional Resources:
Renovations in Haley Center see removal of asbestos, August 18, 2014, The Plainsman
More Blog Entries:
EPA Investigates Improper Asbestos Removal at Old School Building Slated for Demolition, August 28, Boston Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog