The debate over asbestos and its negative health effects was closed long ago, yet it continues to make an appearance in multiple industries. When companies insist on the continued use of this deadly material, workers and other innocent bystanders at risk for the medical complications and injuries that accompany asbestos exposure. Every year in Ohio, industry workers are forced to come in contact with asbestos under the guise that it can be incorporated safely.
The World Health Organization claims that over 107,000 deaths occur annually because of deadly asbestos exposure. For a substance that was proven to be especially harmful and potentially deadly as far back as the 1950s, the number of asbestos related deaths appears troubling. So what exactly is fuelling the continued exposure to the deadly toxin?
While some deaths might be attributed to workers who were exposed decades ago and then developed related diseases — such as mesothelioma or lung disease — years down the road, irresponsible companies are also to blame. According to the National Heart and Lung Institute, all varieties of asbestos can lead to these deadly diseases. Despite this knowledge, there are some companies that continue to use asbestos while claiming that they only user safer varieties that, in reality, do not exist.
The consensus from professionals is in and has been for some time — asbestos exposure is dangerous, and virtually no level is safe. Despite this, workers in Ohio might still be exposed to the toxic substance while carrying out their work duties, which puts them at risk for developing any of the diseases related to exposure. While some illnesses might develop right away, others might not become ill until years or even decades later, at which time seeking compensation against a negligent company is still a viable and appropriate option to take.
Source: Smithsonian, “Why Are People Still Using Asbestos?“, Marissa Fessenden, July 23, 2015
