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Asbestos Product Manufacturers and Pleural Mesothelioma

Manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials have placed thousands at risk for developing pleural mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. While the hazards associated with asbestos were known by many, some companies chose to continue using the toxic mineral regardless of the consequences. Many of these companies incorporated asbestos into their products for its insulating and fireproofing characteristics. In addition, the naturally occurring mineral was used because it was cheap, durable and readily available.

Manufactures and Asbestos Exposure

The use of asbestos was extremely widespread prior to the 1980s. Thousands of products were made with asbestos, ranging from construction materials to household items to automotive parts. Unfortunately for those who were exposed to asbestos before health warnings were issued, the development of pleural mesothelioma is a serious condition that now effects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States each year. This cancer does not have a cure and prognosis for patients averages between four and 18 months.

Some of the major manufacturing companies that commonly used asbestos in their products included General Motors, Honeywell, W.R. Grace and Company, Johns-Manville, Armstrong World Industries, Georgia Pacific, Bondex, Gold Bond and John Crane, just to name a few. Many of these companies have been mentioned in litigation trials for their connection to supplying products that exposed people to asbestos. In a lot of cases, patients have won large settlements due to their development of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur by either inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos fibers, often the result of disturbing asbestos-containing materials.

Those who worked for an asbestos product manufacturer may be at a significantly higher risk for contracting pleural mesothelioma. Many have already been diagnosed with this rare cancer and the incidence rate for mesothelioma is expected to peak within the next 10 years. Anyone who is a former worker of an asbestos product manufacturer should consult with their doctor about any possible exposure to asbestos. Symptoms can take as long as 50 years to arise once someone has been exposed and finding the cancer early will give a patient the best chance of beating the disease.