Mesothelioma is a very aggressive type of cancer. It has a high fatality rate. This cancer develops after someone is exposed to asbestos particles. If someone inhales these particles, which are microscopic, they can become trapped within the body. They often end up in the tissues surrounding the lungs or the abdomen.
As a result, those who worked with asbestos in the past are often at risk of mesothelioma. These include contractors, builders, people on insulation teams, shipyard workers and soldiers. It can also include firefighters, which seems surprising since asbestos is often a building material. Why are firefighters at risk?
Asbestos is fire resistant
The issue here is that asbestos was often prized for its resistance to fire. In fact, it has been used in fire-resistant foam. That means firefighters can be exposed while trying to help others and put out a blaze.
Additionally, asbestos was often used in insulation and other building materials for homes or commercial properties – in part, because it was not considered a fire risk. It was often used as insulation to wrap around pipes, for example, or in things like tile or popcorn ceilings. This means that firefighters who are inside burning buildings could be exposed to asbestos particles from all sorts of materials within the home.
In other words, firefighters don’t usually work with asbestos directly, but they may be in environments where exposure is easy and common. As a result, some of them may develop mesothelioma. No matter how you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, it’s important to know what legal options are available.
