From the time of ancient Greek civilization to present day, asbestos has been a well-known but little understood mineral. In the time of the Greeks, it was noted that those who worked with asbestos often developed damage to their lungs.
During the Industrial Revolution, asbestos was widely used to make clothes, crayons, adhesives, tiles, and brake pads, and it often served as insulation in homes and commercial buildings. In the early 1900s, the often-fatal health conditions related to asbestos were officially attributed to the substance, and the term “asbestosis” began to be used to describe the sicknesses that resulted from asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is the name given to cancer that attacks the lining of major organs such as the lungs and the abdominal cavity.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring substance obtained from the soil through open pit mining and is mined as a rock-like ore. Though it comes in various types, colors and densities, it is easily identifiable through the mining process. Asbestos is still mined throughout many parts of the world in large, modernized open pit mines.
If your home or the building in which you work was constructed prior to the 1970s, there is a very good chance that it has asbestos somewhere in its construction. If you have suffered symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace, you may have a valid personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace, please contact the experienced mesothelioma attorneys at Brown | Kiely, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland today.
