Many places in Pittsburgh are loaded with asbestos. The trouble is that you may not even know it’s there. Since asbestos is a compilation of fibers so small you need a microscope to see them, it would be impossible to determine if you have ingested or breathed in asbestos.
If you worked in a Pennsylvania coal mine, factory or on a barge, you may be at great risk. There are several risks associated with asbestos, in fact. The more you know about these risks, the better. If you or your loved one becomes ill and a doctor says it’s because of asbestos, it is critical that you understand the events that led to your illness and also that you know where to seek support.
Top asbestos dangers at home and in the workplace
Asbestos-related symptoms often do not appear until years after an exposure has taken place. That said, there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure, and underlying factors, such as age or health condition at the time of the exposure, may affect the way an illness presents. The following list shows where you’re likely to find asbestos:
- Asbestos can reside inside your floor tiles, bubble ceiling, walls or insulation.
- Many outdoor locations pose high-level asbestos risks as well, such as the siding on your house and roof shingles.
- Asbestos is often in car brakes as well as hot water heater pipe covers and heat resistant fabrics.
While it might be tempting to start scraping your walls or tearing down tiles if you think asbestos is present, that is actually one of the worst things you can do because asbestos is less of a health risk if you leave it alone. To remove from a premises, you need to call the proper officials.
Injuries and seeking support
Many Pennsylvania workers have suffered adverse effects from asbestos. Sadly, some have died due to their conditions. It can be quite helpful to talk to others who have received mesothelioma or asbestosis diagnoses.
Situations involving asbestos-related illnesses often lead to litigation. This is because injured workers can seek recovery for their losses, especially if a manager or some other executive was negligent and that negligence directly caused your injury. One of the greatest assets you can have on hand at such times is an attorney who is familiar with the possible consequences of asbestos exposure.