Questions About Asbestos Answered by Thompson & Co Solicitors

Asbestos is a highly harmful substance that was used historically in heavy industry and as an insulation material. There are often questions asked about asbestos, ranging from the health risks that are associated with asbestos and the dangers that can be posed when exposed to asbestos. If you do have any questions about the dangers that are posed from asbestos exposure or the diseases that are caused from asbestos exposure then contact our team of solicitors today by using a contact form on our website or telephone our team of solicitors directly now on: 0191 565 6308 

Why Asbestos Causes Cancer

 

Asbestos is made up of small fibres and these can be inhaled when in contact with asbestos. Once these fibres have been inhaled they will eventually make their way into the pleura lining within your lung. Once these fibres permeate the pleura lining they can cause mutations which may lead to  malignant lung cancer developing. Asbestos also causes a range of other lung conditions.

Why Asbestos is Harmful to Health

 

Asbestos is a toxic substance that can be inhaled when in contact with the substance. Asbestos is harmful to health because tiny fibres of asbestos can be inhaled which will eventually make their way into the lungs. Once they enter the lungs, they will settle in the pleura lining which can cause cancer. Other possible lung conditions include Mesothelioma, Pleural Thickening, Pleural Effusion, Pleural Plaque and Asbestosis.

Why Asbestos Was Used

 

Asbestos was historically used for insulation. Asbestos miners were used to obtain the substance and asbestos was used heavily in the shipbuilding industry (as ships were often lined with asbestos for insulation.) It also has heat resistant properties which made it seem as a good insulation for buildings and other structures. This caused construction and demolition workers to be exposed to this toxic substance.

Why Asbestos is Bad

 

Asbestos is bad because it can cause lung cancer. It also causes a range of other lung diseases such as Mesothelioma, Pleural Thickening, Pleural Effusion, Pleural Plaque and Asbestosis. These diseases occur because asbestos fibres can be breathed in and settle in the pleura lining in your lungs. This irritates the pleura lining over many years or develops into cancerous cells.

Are Asbestos Roof Tiles Dangerous?

 

All building materials that contain asbestos or all materials to that matter are very dangerous. If roof tiles or other parts of structures are removed then asbestos fibres can be distributed into the air and inhaled. If you think that you have been exposed to asbestos negligently by an employer and this has caused an asbestos-related disease then you may also be entitled to compensation.

Will Asbestos Kill You?

 

Asbestos causes lung cancer and a variety of other lung diseases (developing after 20 or more years) with some of these diseases being fatal. Pleural Plaques are the least serious form of asbestos-related disease but can develop into other diseases. Pleural Effusion may predispose you to diffuse bilateral pleural thickening which can cause severe disability. Mesothelioma currently has no cure and between 1 in 20 and 1 in 50 individuals with lung cancer survive 5 years after diagnosis.

Does Asbestos Cause Cancer?

 

Yes, asbestos is a cause of lung cancer and other diseases which can develop into cancer. Asbestos causes cancer due to inhalation of tiny asbestos fibres. These fibres settle in the pleura lining which can cause cell mutation. This cell mutation causes cancerous cells to develop and usually takes 20 years or more from being exposed to asbestos before lung cancer develops.

 

Can Asbestos Kill You?

 

Exposure to asbestos can cause fatal lung cancer which is the same sort of cancer that is caused by smoking. Exposure to asbestos also can cause Mesothelioma, which can diffuse and become cancerous. If the tumours caused by Mesothelioma are localised and benign then they do not cause cancer and can be removed. There is currently no cure for Mesothelioma but clinical trials are being undertaken to find a cure.

Can Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?

 

Yes, asbestos can cause lung cancer. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can become lodged in the lungs (pleura lining) which then can possibly develop into cancer. People who have asbestosis (or diffuse pleural thickening) which are both caused by asbestos and who also smoke cigarettes are much more likely to get lung cancer than people who have asbestosis and are not smokers.

Is Asbestos Still Used?

 

Asbestos is banned or has strict controls placed on it in 60 Countries worldwide. Although asbestos is still used in certain countries, the health risks are known and this led to widespread bans on the substance.

Is Asbestos Illegal?

 

Asbestos is an illegal building material and is banned or at least highly restricted by 60 countries worldwide including the United Kingdom. In the UK, stringent laws exist on the handling and removal of asbestos and asbestos was finally fully banned in 1999 under The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations Act. Chrysotile was banned in 1999 after amosite and crocidolite were banned in 1985.

Is Mesothelioma Always Fatal?

 

Mesothelioma is not always fatal. Pleural Mesothelioma can either diffuse and become malignant (cancerous) or localised and benign (non-cancerous.) As Mesothelioma can develop into lung cancer, this can be fatal. Localised and benign Mesothelioma is treatable and may not necessarily be fatal although there is no ‘cure’ for the disease. Smoking with lung conditions caused by asbestos exposure will greatly increase the risk of lung cancer compared to non-smokers.

Can Asbestos Claims Work?

 

If you can prove that an employer negligently exposed you to asbestos and you developed an asbestos related disease then you may be able to claim compensation. To make a claim that lung cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to prove unless you have also developed asbestosis. Unfortunately, you are unable to make a pleural plaque compensation claim even if this has developed from exposure to asbestos.

What are Asbestos Claims?

 

Asbestos claims are compensation claims made against an employer that negligently exposed an individual to asbestos. This is because asbestos is a toxic substance that is accredited to a variety of lung conditions and lung cancer. If you have been exposed negligently to asbestos and have developed an asbestos-related disease then you should seek the advice of a personal injury solicitor.

What is An Asbestos Claim?

 

An asbestos claim is a compensation claim against an employer due to an asbestos-related disease being contracted during working. This is due to negligent exposure to asbestos whilst working. These compensation claims are awarded because these diseases can be fatal or highly debilitating. As these conditions can take up to 20 years to develop, they are experienced later in life.

Can I Claim Compensation For Exposure to Asbestos?

Yes, you can claim compensation from exposure to asbestos if you contract an asbestos-related disease from negligent exposure to asbestos. This is made against the employer that negligently exposed you to asbestos. Unfortunately, you cannot make a pleural plaque compensation claim even if this has developed from exposure to asbestos. Contact a personal injury solicitor if you feel that you may be entitled to compensation.