The Best Asbestos Attorneys

Although many attorneys claim to have succeeded in asbestos lawsuits, not all of them can be categorized as the best asbestos attorneys. The best asbestos attorneys are those with years of experience and an enviable success rate. They can salvage compensations to the tune of millions. Less experienced attorneys may manage to succeed in a lawsuit, but often they may not be able to recover adequate compensation.

There are many sources to look for the best of asbestos attorneys. Bar associations, the Internet, and yellow pages are reliable sources. Many of the best asbestos attorneys are members of reputed statewide and nationwide attorney networks specializing in industrial hazard and worker compensation lawsuits. A good approach to finding a qualified asbestos attorney is to consult a trusted lawyer who can give you a good referral. The lawyer gets a referral fee for this service.

The best asbestos attorneys are an experienced lot. Their vast experience gives them a good judgment of the compensation amount that can be recovered from construction companies. Moreover, these veteran attorneys often have strong political connections, which assist them in getting the job done efficiently. Asbestos attorneys usually charge their fees on contingency basis, in which a portion of the compensation amount is claimed as fee. This percentage is negotiable, but most experienced attorneys usually do not allow any reduction. The high fee of the asbestos attorney is acceptable in most cases because you stand in good stead to win your case by assigning it to an experienced attorney. The best asbestos attorneys do not settle for an initial compensation amount. They carry on lawsuits to extract maximum compensation from the opponent. The best asbestos attorneys thus ensure that their clients get maximum possible damages.

Asbestos Attorneys provides detailed information on Asbestos Attorneys, Asbestos Cancer Attorneys, Asbestos Litigation Attourneys, Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys and more. Asbestos Attorneys is affiliated with Asbestos Trial Lawyers

Asbestosis & Mesothelioma - Causes & Symptoms

Asbestosis - The Cause

Asbestosis and asbestos-related diseases are caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. There is no cure at present, but early identification can stop the condition from getting worse.

When asbestos is physically disturbed in uncontrolled circumstances, tiny, needle-like fibres of asbestos become airborne. If these fibres are inhaled they travel like small arrows deep into the lungs penetrating the tissue. The harm they cause may not be immediate, but the long-term effects are serious.

When the fibres penetrate the lung tissue, they trigger an inflammatory reaction. In an attempt to defend itself, the body sends white blood cells to engulf and attack these foreign objects. The fibres usually resist and destroy these blood cells, and this leaves increasing amounts of unwanted debris around the affected area, thereby promoting further inflammation and irreversible scarring of the lungs.

Asbestosis - The Symptoms

The symptoms of asbestosis don't tend to appear for many years. Whilst manifestation times differ with individuals, it may take as long as 25 to 40 years.

This means that even though working practices & precautions have been dramatically improved, we still see a large number of people just starting to show signs of ill health and diseases such as mesothelioma.

Typically, shortness of breath is a sign of asbestosis, as well as a sign of a range of other diseases. People may relate this symptom to a more friendly disease for their own peace-of-mind, but if you experience shortness of breath and know or suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos in your past, then it would be wise to consult your doctor.

Shortness of breath initially occurs on exertion, but later, even at rest. It is the main symptom and a result of reduced lung capacity, and pressure in and around the lungs. Other common symptoms include tiredness - from a lack of oxygen, and coughing..

Asbestosis can also cause thickening of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that lines the outside of the lungs, and this symptom will likely only be noticed upon x-ray. It is usually an x-ray performed for a reason other than suspected asbestosis that reveals this symptom. If the thickening is severe it may restrict lung function, again causing shortness of breath.

Mesothelioma - The Cause

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, only caused by exposure to asbestos. This cancer may occur in the pleura and shortness of breath will result.

Other negative effects of mesothelioma are chest pain and intestinal obstruction. The latter results from this cancer in the abdominal wall.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of mesothelial cells. These cells cover the outer surface of most of our internal body organs, forming a lining that is sometimes called the mesothelium. So this is where this type of cancer gets its name.

Even though mesothelioma is a form of cancer, it is unusual for it to spread to other parts of the body. If it does, it does not usually cause problems.

Mesothelioma - The Symptoms

In its early stages, mesothelioma does not have many symptoms.

When symptoms do develop, they are often caused by the cancer growing and pressing on either a nerve or another body organ.

There are two main types of mesothelioma and the symptoms differ. There are two main types of this form of cancer:

Pleural mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma

The pleural type grows in the tissues covering the lungs. The peritoneal type grows in the tissue lining the inside of the abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

Between 7 and 8 out of 10 (70-80%) of cases of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common.

The typical symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are pain in the lower back, pain in the side of the chest, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, a hoarse or husky voice, noticeably losing weight when not dieting, sweating, fevers and difficulty swallowing.

The typical symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain in the abdomen, swelling in the abdomen, feeling or being sick, poor appetite, noticeably losing weight when not dieting and diarrhoea or constipation.

These symptoms are all more likely to be caused by some other illness, rather than by mesothelioma. However, if you have these symptoms, consult your doctor, especially if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past.

How does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres. You can breathe these fibres in when you come into contact with asbestos, particularly when these fibres are airborne. The fibres work their way into the pleura, the lining of the lung. They irritate the pleura and damage the cells that the pleura are made of. This promotes the growth of cancerous cells.

Some of the fibres that have been breathed in can be coughed up and swallowed. This is probably one of the causes of peritoneal mesothelioma. Most cases of mesothelioma occur in men who have worked in manufacturing using asbestos or used asbestos based products, particularly in construction or engineering.

The use of asbestos was very heavy in the years after the war (Post 1945). Mesothelioma may not develop until 15 - 40 years after you have been exposed to asbestos, which is why we are seeing an increase in cases now. The number of cases is expected to peak around 2018 and then start to decline.

There are three types of asbestos: blue, brown and white. Blue and brown asbestos are linked with mesothelioma. They have been banned since the late 1980's and cannot be imported into the UK. White asbestos is now also thought to be harmful. The use of all asbestos was banned in 1999 in the UK.

I hope you find this article useful. I have created it to be used as a free resource to educate others about the dangers of asbestos, and the reality of asbestosis and mesothelioma. I researched these illnesses during a university case study. I work in the construction industry and have already encountered asbestos in various boiler houses and heat intensive environments. I can only hope there were no airborne particles.

More information of this nature is available at http://www.asbestosis-symptoms.com

Asbestos: An Environmental Hazard

Asbestos has been used extensively as an insulating material in building construction for many years. Only until recently were newer materials introduced in the market such as fiberglass in place of asbestos.

Diseases may result when large amounts of fine asbestos fibers become accumulated in the lungs. This fatal disease is more commonly known as asbestosis. The disease is often found in workers engaged in the mining or processing of asbestos. Various trades involved with asbestos include pipefitting, shipbuilding and the construction industry. In addition to its use in insulation, it is also used in fire smothering blankets and safety clothing, in gas masks, as plastic filler material and in cement and floor tiles. Today, demolition workers and home renovators working on older buildings put themselves at high risk from the toxicity of this substance.

One of the most fatal toxicities of asbestos is its effect on breathing and the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The lungs are the primary targets of asbestos toxicity. Breathing may become progressively more difficult and laborious and this may ultimately lead to lung cancer. Initially, the individual may only experience a chronic, dry cough. As the disease progresses, symptoms may vary from shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance to chest pains. These symptoms are not exclusive to asbestosis, but a history of exposure will help the physician make the right and acute diagnosis of this disease.

One rare form of lung cancer that appears to be unique among people exposed to asbestos is known as mesothelioma. This cancer affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen. The association of asbestos exposure and malignant mesothleioma has been well documented. Approximately 80% of mesothelioma patients have along history of asbestos exposure. The combined roles of genetic and environment in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma has also been suggested by its familial aggregation. Studies show an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms leading to a defect in DNA repair poses an increased risk of mesothelioma. It is essential to identify genetic risk factors for malignant mesothelioma. The toxic asbestos fibers chronically retained in the lung can be carcinogenic as a result of: mechanical effects, such as interference during chromosome segregation; generation of reactive oxygen species; and local and systemic immunosuppression. Identification of specific risk genotypes will provide better estimation of population disease risk resulting from defined exposure; improve knowledge on lung carcinogenesis; and help target early detection of disease in high-risk individuals. It is a malignant neoplasm that may not appear for as many as 20 to 40 years following the exposure of the substance. This type of malignancy has a high fatality rate. The relation between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is so close that the occurrence of this malignancy may be grounds for occupational compensation.

Unfortunately, there has yet been no cure for asbestosis. It is imperative that one provides a detailed history of work activities and any other sources of possible exposure to toxic dusts. Keep in mind that ones' exposure may have been many years ago. The substance may have been inhaled from the clothes of another person who has worked with asbestos. An abnormal finding chest X ray may suggest exposure to asbestos. This does not necessarily mean that you have lung asbestosis. Not everyone who has been exposed will inevitably develop lung disease and cancer. The disease itself is only diagnosed only if you have a history of exposure, indicative chest X ray and physical findings and symptoms of debilitating lung fibrosis, which is characterized by abnormal development of scar tissue in the lungs.

If you are a young or middle-aged worker who works with asbestos, it is important to follow recommended safety precautions. Wear approved facemasks and breathing instruments that filter out the asbestos fibers. Be certain that all areas of your body is covered and take extra care to minimize your contact with the outside of the clothes you wear when working with asbestos.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Asbestos

Asbestos - A Ticking Time-Bomb Still Legally in Use in Some Products

Have you ever seen the effects of asbestosis, mesothelioma, or any of the various asbestos-related cancers that have killed or destroyed the livelihood of a close fried or relative? Believe me, some very powerful and influential figures have succumbed to these illnesses, so it is not just confined to manual workers working in factories or building sites where asbestos was involved.

As early as 1898 the then Chief inspector of Factories in The United Kingdom in his report to Parliament submitted in his report regarding the ?evil effects of asbestos dust.? He described it even all those years ago as having a sharp, glass like nature, very susceptible to disintegrating into minute particles, which then very easily permeated every nook and cranny in a building, or even a district where such a product was in use.

Litigation due to industrial exposure to asbestos remains the longest, most expensive joint claim in the world, with over 6,000 defendants, and at the latest count well over 600,000 claimants. With the current rate of detection of asbestos related diseases set to rise over the next decade, estimates of the litigation costs on the US alone is expected to rise to well over $250 BILLION. You would have thought that with such amounts at stake, anybody still manufacturing products based on asbestos or any asbestos-related products would be taking an enormous financial risk.

In early times items made of asbestos were held in great esteem, especially by Kings and Emperors, and of equal value to gold. Many in fact were cremated in an asbestos shroud, to keep their ashes separate from any other combustible materials. How rash was that! In fact, talking of rashes, although asbestos fibres when coming into contact with the skin causes rashes, there are stories from ancient times that asbestos was actually prescribed for ailments of the skin ? especially the itch.

Although there are many forms of asbestos, they all have the same characteristic to a greater or lesser degree, that eventually however they may be packaged up within another material, they will all form asbestos dust particles at some point in their life.

Due to asbestos?s fire-retarding properties, until the late 1980?s there were many applications within public and private buildings where asbestos in one form or another was used. Acoustic ceilings, putty, vinyl floor coverings, fire-retardant fillings, adhesives and ceiling tiles, acoustic curtains in theatres, and in brake disk pads in cars, busses and trains, clutch plates, gaskets, fire blankets ? the list is endless, as is the lurking danger.

In fact, many a worker in the American shipyards during the Second Word War were heavily exposed to this asbestos danger, and even some top people were affected and struck down with asbestosis, mesothelioma, or asbestos-induced cancers of some sort.

Now, with many asbestos based products no longer allowed in new construction, there must be thousands upon thousands of sites where asbestos is still lurking, and even demolition and or removal creates its own hazard conditions.

Interestingly, in the interest of ?profit? there are still a number of applications where asbestos is still in use, and can even be found in some consumer products, such as talcum powder.

In all, the list of asbestos based products is still scarily quite long.

Asbestos-cement corrugated and flat sheets; asbestos clothing for heat resistant applications, pipe line wraps, roofing felt, and many applications in the auto industry, including automatic transmission system components, clutch plates, friction pads such as disk brake pads and so forth are still being manufactured.

How many of us have smelt the acrid fumes when a train applies it?s brakes in your local station?

Because of all this historical use of asbestos, we are all constantly exposed to certain levels of asbestos dust. These are usually quite low levels (between 0.00001 to 0.0001 fibres per millilitre of air we breathe) with the higher levels predominately in towns and cities. Some drinking water can also contain asbestos fibres from natural sources, but this is usually very closely monitored.

Where asbestos removal takes place, whole buildings have to be hermetically sealed to try and trap the bulk of the dust.

If you have been unfortunate enough to breathe large quantities of asbestos dust, either in a short burst, or over a period of years the effects are usually very much the same.

1. This dust, on the lungs and the membranes inside us, will eventually cause scar like tissues in the lungs, and in the pleural membrane (lining) surrounding the lungs. This ?asbestosis? as it is known will usually cause coughing, difficulty in breathing, and sometimes, enlargement of the heart. Asbestosis is very serious, and often results in death. However, it is usually confined to those who worked in the asbestos industry.

2. Lower levels of intake of this deadly dust may cause changes called plaques in the pleural membranes. Effects here are not as serious as with asbestosis, but restricted breathing may still take place.

3. Any irritation of the lungs, or any other membrane in the body will have a marked increase in the formation of cancers, and lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the thin lining (pleural membrane) surrounding the lungs is a well-know side effect of breathing asbestos dust.

4. Children are particularly at risk, as how many of them may play around old buildings, and take great pleasure in smashing up old sheets of asbestos, not realising that they are really playing with something more deadly than an unexploded time-bomb.

As a successful property renovator, and provider of buildings for my property club members, asbestos is of a very serious concern to me.

In all, asbestos, although having served mankind ?Faithfully?? down throughout the ages, has now been identified as the spectre of danger that it presents, but unfortunately we have been mining the stuff for centuries, so it will not go away quietly, and without a fight.

Hence the massive levels of lawsuits piling up surrounding all forms of asbestos.

Geoff Morris

Geoff Morris is a Property Entrepreneur who has been studying the dangers of renovating old buildings for his club members (http://www.propertyprofits4u.com). Such an International scare really needs more investigating, and you can identify far more information by visiting http://www.mesotheliomatime.info

What Is Asbestos?

What is Asbestos?

According to the Asbestos Network, asbestos actually refers to several naturally occurring minerals. These minerals have been used in commercial products to increase strength and flexibility. The Asbestos Network claims that these minerals are a mix of metals, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Asbestos, like coal or gold is mined. Some of the countries that mine asbestos include the United Sates, Canada, South America and the former Soviet Union.

Types of Asbestos

Asbestos is not just one substance; in fact it can be divided into several different types, and these types can be divided into two basic groups. These two groups are serpentine and amphibole. Environmental Health and Safety claims that the serpentine group only contains one member: chrysotile. This type of asbestos is the most common form found in buildings and is also known as ?white asbestos.?

Both the Asbestos Network and Environmental Health and Safety list five different types of asbestos within the amphibole group. These five include amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Amosite is the second most prevalent type found in building materials and is also referred to as ?brown asbestos.? Crocidolite, ?blue asbestos,? is found in structures where the materials need to be safe from high temperatures. The final three, anthyphyllite, tremolite, and actinolite, are rarely found.

Problems Related to Asbestos

The Asbestos Network explains that contact with asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma. The fibrous nature of asbestos causes much of the problem. The fibers may get caught in the lungs and create lung damage. Or, they may even be swallowed and become lodged in membranes of the gastrointestinal track, according to the Asbestos Network. Again, this could lead to cancer of the lungs or of the GI tract. So while it may be thought that the lungs are the only place that can be damaged, it is other parts of the body can be negatively affected by asbestos.

Who is at Risk?

According to the Asbestos Network, the ?dose? of asbestos that a person is exposed to equals the combination of the concentration, or the amount of asbestos in the air, and the duration, or the length of time that a person is exposed to asbestos. The more asbestos inhaled, the greater the chance of damage to lungs or other internal organs. Also, the Network says that cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of contracting an asbestos disease as it decreases the general health of the lungs. The Asbestos Network also lists several occupations that may be more likely to suffer from asbestos created diseases. These occupations include construction work, ship building, railroad working and automobile engineers.


How To Avoid It

There are several things that those who work around asbestos can do to limit their contact with the cancer causing fibers. The American Lung Association of Georgia insists on no eating or drinking while you are working. The Association also urges workers not to smoke and to follow proper guidelines when handling asbestos. Employers that place their employees in asbestos filled areas should have the employees properly trained on how to handle the substance, as well as how to avoid interacting with it.

Robert Michael is a writer for ABE Mesothelioma which is an excellent place to find mesothelioma links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.abemesothelioma.com

Asbestos Removal

Many buildings hold the presence of carcinogenic Asbestos which was used in thermal system insulation and numerous other materials. Before the ban on ?popcorn ceilings? in the United States in 1978, its use was a common practice in the construction of homes. The ?popcorn ceiling? is a source of the dangerous Asbestos, and therefore initiates a health need to remove the Asbestos present in the home and get the same verified in a competent laboratory. Asbestos might also be found in homes built as late as 1986, and therefore initiates a need of even their inspection. It is essential to determine the location of Asbestos, and them remove and dispose of it.

After removal, a proper disposal is crucial. The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division regulates the disposal of Asbestos as a solid waste. The requirements presented in this brief account on Asbestos Removal applies to Asbestos containing waste and is not inclusive of Category I and Category II non-friable Asbestos waste that has not been reduced, crumbled, or pulverized to powder.

It is essential to seal Asbestos-containing waste in leak-proof containers or wrappings. The packaged Asbestos should be labeled as specified by 29 CFR 1910.1001(j) (2) or 1926.58(k) (2) (iii). It is essential for the label to include the following information: ?DANGER. CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID CREATING DUST. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.?

It is also essential for the labels to be in compliance with the 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) or OEBGD/FGS. To gain the value of visibility and legibility, it is essential to print the letters on the label in sufficient size and contrast. The labels must be printed in English, the host-nation language and DRMOs language. It should include the name and location of the waste generator.

The vehicle markings should be displayed such that they are easily readable and conform to the requirements for 51 cm?36 cm (20 in.?14 in) upright format signs as specified in 29 CFR 145(d) (4). It is essential to include the following important information in the lower panel with specified letter size, style, and visibility: ?DANGER. ASBESTOS. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. RESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ARE REQUIRED.?

A waste shipment record used for the shipments of Asbestos waste (40 CFR 61.150) is similar to the hazardous waste manifest requirement. It is the responsibility of the operator of the disposal facility to return a copy of the waste shipment record to the generator. It is always crucial to keep a copy of the waste record shipment for a period of 2 years.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affliated with Lung Cancer Stages

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, being regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG, and EPA, falls on the Hazardous substance list. Also, because of the associated carcinogenic effect, it falls on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. Workplace Exposure limits for Asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers have been set. It should, however, be considered that Asbestos, being a carcinogen in humans, has no safe level of Exposure. The crucial steps to minimize Asbestos Exposure to workers and their family members include establishment of a regulated, marked area for handling and storage of asbestos, preference for enclosed operations and use of local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Other important steps for control include the wearing of protective work clothing, communicating all information on the hazards of asbestos, and washing thoroughly before leaving a regulated area and at the end of the work shift.

However, even by adhering to the workplace Exposure limits and to all crucial ways for reducing Asbestos Exposure, it is probable to develop Asbestos-induced health ailments. This needs to be consulted and resolved by a medical practitioner specialized in diseases induced by Asbestos Exposure.

The toxic effects induced by Asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by Asbestos Exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and mesothelioma (a highly malignant disease).

The toxicity induced by Asbestos also finds its place in the relatives of the workers exposed to it. This is mainly due to the presence of Asbestos fibers in the clothes of the Asbestos workers. These contaminated clothes, too, require safe measures for cleaning or disposal. Because of the capacity of Asbestos to cause potential hazards to health, its use has been banned in many industries.

Asbestos And Mesothelioma provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos And Mesothelioma is affiliated with Lung Cancer Stages

Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos, a naturally occurring complex silicate, was extensively used in many industries, including insulation in ship building, manufacture of brake linings, and automobiles. Asbestos is a common name given to a group of six fibrous minerals which have their existence in two general forms, friable and non-friable. The toxic effects induced by Asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by Asbestos exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and Asbestos Cancer (mesothelioma).

Asbestos Cancer, a serious health problem associated with Asbestos exposure, starts when cells found in mesothelium (a protective lining that covers most of the internal organs of the body) becomes abnormal and divide without control or order. These cancer cells may spread to damage tissues and organs. The diagnosis of Asbestos Cancer is difficult with pleural cytology. The characteristic radiographic feature of the disease is massive pleural effusion.

The disease is almost three times more common in males as compared to females. The maximum number of Asbestos Cancer cases is reported in the age group of 40 -60 years. The most common symptoms observed during the onset of Asbestos Cancer include asthenia, breathlessness, and dull chest pain. Other less frequent symptoms include cough, fever, and loss of weight. Haemoptysis is a symptom of Asbestos Cancer which is rarely observed.

The therapeutic (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) means are mostly unable to help significantly in the treatment. Even radiotherapy and pleurectomy fail as effective treatment options. The average patient?s survival after the diagnosis of Asbestos Cancer is 8 to 10 months. The most preferable option can be of preventive treatment for Asbestos Cancer. Strict industrial safety measures, proper hygiene, and regular check up of workers exposed to Asbestos must form the crucial part of serious Asbestos Cancer preventive treatment methods.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affliated with Lung Cancer Stages

The dangers of asbestos

If you read the newspaper or watch the nightly news, chances are you've heard about some of the dangers of asbestos. What is often ignored in these messages, however, is that asbestos also has a number of useful properties. If used responsibly and maintained in good condition, asbestos can be beneficial without causing harm.

What is asbestos? The term refers to microscopic, naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. These minerals have been used for years by the construction industry. The three most common types of asbestos are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Asbestos is commonly used in insulation, fireproofing, roofing, flooring, and other building materials. The strength of the fibers and asbestos's resistance to heat make these materials very useful.

Why, then, are people afraid of asbestos? Well, asbestos is a carcinogenic, toxic substance. Asbestos-containing materials are not a health risk if they are left undisturbed. However, if these materials become damaged, the asbestos fibers separate and become airborne. This is when human exposure is likely to occur, as asbestos may be inhaled into the lungs.

While no safe level of exposure has been determined, health problems are more common with greater and longer exposure to the fibers. Some of these health problems include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. It is not true that asbestos causes headaches or sore muscles, as many once believed. Immediate health issues like these are rarely seen. In actuality, most damaging health effects of asbestos exposure don't surface until many years later. Perhaps this is why building buyers prefer to err on the side of caution when asbestos inspections are done.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a program for schools and other building owners in order to keep asbestos fiber levels low. In an effort to protect students and residents, the program aims to teach people how to recognize asbestos-containing materials. It also educates people about how to manage these materials and how to avoid exposure. With proper education and careful management, health risks from asbestos can theoretically be prevented.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Asbestos Resources a website providing information on asbestos