Where is Asbestos Found?

Anyone can be or may have been exposed to asbestos. It is far more common than most people believe. The common misconception is that asbestos has been “outlawed.” There have been some partial bans on asbestos use enacted in the U.S., but there are still many lawful uses of the substance, and it is still common in imported products. There is still a movement to expand asbestos bans and hopefully phase asbestos out entirely, but even if that happens it will not get rid of all preexisting asbestos.

Why Asbestos is Used

To understand why asbestos is found where it is found you need to understand why it is used. Asbestos is heat and fire resistant. It has been used in building materials, household products, ships, auto parts, and protective clothing and other types of fire and heat shielding in certain industries.

Homes and Buildings

Asbestos used to be far more common in construction materials, so older homes and building are much more likely to contain the dangerous substance. However, it is still allowed in some new construction products. You may be or may have been exposed to asbestos in your home, school, or workplace.

Construction materials that may contain asbestos include, but are not limited to:

• Roofing felt
• Floor tile
• Acoustical tile
• Adhesives
• Cement wallboard
• Caulking
• Spray-on insulation
• Shingles
• Masonry fill
• Joint compounds
• Paint
• Electric wire insulation
• Pipe insulation
• Plaster

Household Products

Besides the materials used to build your home, you may also find asbestos in household items, including:

• Hair dryers
• Oven mitts
• Ironing boards
• Potting soil
• Toasters
• Packing material
• Fake snow
• Yarn
• Tape

Industries

Certain industries, jobs, and types of workplaces use or have used asbestos heavily, or increase the likelihood that workers will be exposed to asbestos. These include:

• Construction
• Demolition
• Remodeling
• Railroads
• Power plants
• Oil refineries
• Shipyards
• Mines
• Appliance manufacturing
• Automotive manufacturing and repair
• Disaster response

Auto Parts

You might be shocked to learn how extensively asbestos has been used in vehicles. Many of these applications for asbestos are still allowed and ongoing. Auto parts that may contain asbestos include:

• Brake pads
• Drum brake linings
• Gaskets
• Hood liners
• Automatic transmissions

If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and have been diagnosed with any of the diseases related to it, you may very well deserve compensation. Click on your state on the above map to contact a mesothelioma lawyer in your state.  Alternatively, please e-mail or call us at 1-877-LOSS RECOVER (567-7732) today to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer near you.