Category Archives: Asbestos
Thousands of West Virginia Workers Injured by Exposure To Asbestos
Thousands of workers in West Virginia have been injured by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was widely used for its heat retention capabilities. From the 1950’s through the 1980’s asbestos was used in a variety of products to which West Virginia workers would have been exposed. Asbestos was used… Read More »
A Short History of Asbestos Usage
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals, which have been mined and used as building material for more than 4,000 years. The ancients recognized several desirable properties, especially resistance to fire, but also recorded serious and fatal health effects among miners who suffered heavy exposure. Large scale mining of asbestos began during… Read More »
Occupations That Put Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
In the past, asbestos was mined extensively and widely used across many industries, including manufacturing, auto repair, construction, shipbuilding, and transportation. An estimated 27 million American workers were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers between 1940 and 1979. Occupations that suffered the greatest exposure were auto mechanics, boilermakers, bricklayers, building inspectors, carpenters, demolition workers, drywallers, electricians,… Read More »
Asbestos in Your Home
Asbestos can be found in many places in homes built before 1970. If your home does have asbestos, it doesn’t mean it’s a constant danger. Asbestos is not a threat as long as it’s not damaged. However, if it’s disturbed, damaged or destroyed, it can release microscopic fibers into the air that can become trapped… Read More »
Workers Deliberately Exposed to Asbestos
A judge sentenced Philadelphia building owner Gene Cornell Smith to 42 months in prison for deliberately exposing day laborers to asbestos. Smith put out a bid for removal of asbestos from a warehouse he owned. However, he ended up contracting the job out to an associate, who hired unqualified day laborers to remove the asbestos… Read More »