Kevin Weaks
St. Louis Labor Tribune
Thousands of Missouri and Illinois residents have died from mesothelioma, and all they did was take a breath.
Sadly, the dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Throughout the last century, thousands of St. Louis workers were exposed to invisible, microscopic asbestos fibers and did not even know they were in danger.
Even worse, the toxic substance came home with them on their clothing, exposing their spouses and children. Decades later, those exposed have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer.
Asbestos was widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. When tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed.
Asbestos exposure is the single known cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos products were used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide variety of places like flooring, pipe insulation, and in safety applications because it was fireproof. Mesothelioma manifests itself largely in workers in the trades — drywallers, railroad workers, shipyard workers, and mechanics, among others.
If you worked in an industrial setting, chances are that you were exposed. Unfortunately, many asbestos companies continued to produce these products even after they were known to be hazardous and harmful to workers and their families. Today, those who have become sick because of exposure to these products may be eligible for financial compensation.
