Whether you were born and raised in Pittsburgh or another Pennsylvania town, you or someone you know may have been adversely affected by microscopic fibers in asbestos products. There is no such thing as safe asbestos exposure. While evidence exists to suggest that symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may take a long time to surface, there is no way of knowing how much exposure or how often it takes to contract an asbestos injury.
Especially if you live or work in a home or building constructed before the 1980s, the risks of asbestos-related diseases can be quite high. Many of the people who worked in steel mills, coal mines, shipyards and other industries in and around Pittsburgh are now suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis and other illnesses. It’s tragic because many illnesses might have been preventable had it not been for greedy, power-hungry employers who put profit ahead of worker safety. Support networks have been set up to help them recover their losses.
Pennsylvania ranks high for asbestos dangers
Not only Pittsburgh but Philadelphia and other regions as well were significant locations during the industrial boom because of their steel mills, textile factories, shipping industries and railroads. The following list includes some of the alarming statistics specifically related to Pennsylvania’s asbestos risks:
- This state ranks second-highest in the nation for most mesothelioma fatalities.
- Areas near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have the highest rates of fatality from this incurable disease.
- In a little more than 15 years, nearly 3,000 people in Pennsylvania have died from mesothelioma.
- A lot of asbestos damage was done through shipping and conversions of vermiculite, as more than 400,000 tons of ore were processed in Pennsylvania plants.
- More than 25 Pennsylvania cities have been classified as high-risk for asbestos exposure.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos illness, your focus might be set on what type of support resources exist to help you seek alleviation of your discomfort and also to learn to cope with your disease and live as high quality a life as possible.
If it’s not you but one of your loved ones who is ill, you may want to learn more about living assistance and how to provide encouragement and support. If you’re considering litigation, you may wish to speak to others who have successfully pursued similar paths.