Asbestos: A Brief History
Natural, Dangerous and Widely-Used
Mesothelioma Attorneys Helping People
in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Eastern United States
Asbestos is not a man-made villain. It is a natural, fibrous mineral with a crystalline structure. It is versatile, strong, flexible, and resistant to chemicals, heat and flame. The ancient Greeks used it to make textiles. It was worn inside of armor suits during the Middle Ages.
It went on to become the "Poster Mineral" for the 20th century.
The lawyersat Robert Peirce & Associates handle mesothelioma lawsuits for people in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Eastern United States. If you or a family member is now suffering from mesothelioma — don't hesitate to call or contact our firm for a free consultation today.
The six types of asbestos found in nature are chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Of these, chrysolite is the least "friable," that is, less likely to turn into dust and become airborne. Its widespread use, at least 90 percent of asbestos-laden products are made with chrysolite, has made it the most likely culprit in the majority of mesothelioma cases.
In the undisturbed mineral form, asbestos poses little threat to human health. Unfortunately, asbestos is prone to breaking apart easily under pressure. Small, virtually undetectable fibers, once tightly bundled within the crystalline structure, break up, become airborne and are inhaled by unsuspecting, unprotected humans who happen to be nearby.
Asbestos use in the United States peaked in the post-World War II decades. It was used in everything from household construction materials, heating elements and insulation to concrete, automotive and flooring products. During this time period, workers in high-risk occupations such as construction, pipefitting, automotive repair, shipbuilding or railroads were exposed to asbestos fibers routinely and given little or no protection.
All of these exposures occurred despite the fact that the hazards of asbestos were well-known to manufacturers, employers, the government and others as early as the 1930s.
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For answers to your questions about the malignant cancer known as mesothelioma and your legal rights, contact us by e-mail, or call us at either of our two Pittsburgh office numbers: 412-281-7229 or 866-273-1941.
