The range of asbestos exposure throughout the industrial world is much more comprehensive than many people may know. One example of this is the glass industry. In fact, it is highly likely that many are unaware of all the exposure risks that existed in that industry– as well as some that still exist today. Here’s what you need to know about the risks and prevention of asbestos exposure for glass workers. 










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If you may have been exposed to asbestos, even when you were a child, speak to your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related diseases.






















The Use of Asbestos in the Industrial World









With just a little knowledge about the benefits of asbestos, it’s no surprise that asbestos found its way into the glass industry by popular demand. At the height of asbestos use, you could find this material in virtually every corner of the construction and production industry. The reason for this has to do with the durability of asbestos. This natural mineral does not dissolve in water, it’s resistant to things like acid and alkali (corrosion), and heat, and it serves as a strong insulator without being conductive to electricity. 





Besides the ability of asbestos to resist these elements, the various types of asbestos come in different fibrous strands and mineral families, making this material relatively easy to be used in the manufacturing of other materials- everything from cement to ceiling tiles. In fact, even older household products such as coffeepots, hair dryers, and even toasters contained asbestos because of its durability qualities!






    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”

                            
Source: National Cancer Institute
 (NIH)1

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    























Asbestos Use in the Glass Industry









The glass industry played an important manufacturing role in America when asbestos was still widely used. Dishware, windows, fiberglass, television screens and tubing are only a small fraction of the range of this industry. The process of manufacturing glass involves very high heat, and various types of machinery, and before modern technological innovations- many hands-on workers to manually assist the process. From start to finish, the process is essentially melting, fining, homogenization, annealing, and forming.





OSHA identified glass workers as potentially at risk for asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases.





The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published a 1976 study showing the dangers of asbestos exposure for glass workers, identifying specific areas/processes of concern such as emptying the baghouse, nailing, pressing, lathe operators, teardown, and grooving. At that time, asbestos was not banned, but the report showed that many of these areas exposed workers beyond the acceptable amount of asbestos fibers. 






    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“Some asbestos fibers may bypass…your body’s natural defenses…and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.”

                            
Source: American Lung Association


                        		
                    

                
            

        

    







The Source of the Risk





It may still seem unclear exactly how glass workers would have been at risk of asbestos exposure. After all, unlike cement and other products manufactured prior to the 1980 ban and modern EPA regulations, asbestos was not added to glass as a way to strengthen it. The danger was actually hiding in plain sight, however. 





First, there is the fact that asbestos was used to insulate all the machinery used in this high-heat process. Second, most protective equipment worn by workers contained asbestos, such as gloves, masks, coveralls, and even respirator filters. Finally, the industrial facilities were full of asbestos-containing materials- everything from the cement floors to the roofing tiles contained asbestos. Many of these materials and equipment would be phased out and replaced with non-asbestos materials, but that would only happen after the damage had been done.






    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.”

                            
Source: National Cancer Institute
 (NIH)2

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    















Image Asbestos Glass Workers article body













The Risks Involved









Just because asbestos is present in a facility does not always mean that it poses a deadly risk. After all, asbestos was popular because of its durability. However, the risk involved with working in a facility containing asbestos has to do with the breakdown (friability) of asbestos in the facility and equipment. When asbestos breaks down, the microscopic fibers can be exposed and spread everywhere. 





Gloves wear out, buildings decay, and the high temperatures and high-pressure air used in glass production only serve to amplify the scope of spreading asbestos fibers everywhere. Workers would ingest or inhale asbestos fibers into their lungs, and carry them home on their clothing and tools, exposing their spouse and children in a process known as second-hand exposure.





Just like the exposure risks of asbestos, the damage caused by asbestos exposure often hides in plain sight. This has to do with the latency of asbestos exposure. Asbestos has no smell or taste, nor does exposure have any immediate signs. Instead, it often takes decades for symptoms of asbestos exposure to show up. By then, cancers like mesothelioma, lung diseases, and much more have developed and often move at an aggressive pace.  













       
        
Do You Qualify For Compensation?

        
Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.

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To help pay for the treatment of an asbestos-related disease and more, there are legal options at your disposal if you or a loved one worked in a glass industry that contained asbestos. The first step to take is to speak with your healthcare provider for tests and screening to verify the presence of asbestos fibers in your body. Second, it is highly beneficial to have an asbestos claims attorney assist you in filing a claim. While there are certainly lawsuit options on the table, it is important to know about a better option that often does not involve the need to file a lawsuit.





Over $30 Billion is still available
(without a lawsuit).

Stake your claim.

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Asbestos Trusts? (Compensation… without a lawsuit.)









Asbestos Trusts are a source of compensation for people exposed before the mid-1980s (even as children).





This option is known as asbestos trusts. These are funds set aside by the asbestos industry to pay for people who have been injured from asbestos exposure. Because this money is already set aside- with billions of dollars remaining unclaimed- it often is the fastest way to receive compensation. It is important to know that each trust has its own stipulations and requirements, but there are trusts that exist specifically for those in the glass industry, such as the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, Paddock Enterprises, and Owens Corning Fiberglass Corporation. Even those who have been exposed second-hand are still entitled to most trusts, even if they were exposed as children. 





With so many trusts available, an Asbestos Claims Attorney can help you determine what option is best for you, as well as provide a database that helps identify asbestos exposure from a specific company and what trusts exist to help you. If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos, take action today to get the compensation and treatment you need.





















AsbestosClaims.Law









For Justinian C. Lane, getting compensation for asbestos victims is personal.





Justinian’s grandparents and his father all worked with asbestos in their younger years and died from asbestos-related cancers in their later years.  





At the time of each of their deaths, no one in Justinian’s family knew that they were eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit and to seek compensation from the asbestos trusts.





Because no one in Justinian’s family knew their options, they never received any compensation for the death of their loved ones. 





If you believe that you or your family member’s injury was related to asbestos exposure, you could be entitled to significant compensation.





This is money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 





There are also asbestos trusts that offer compensation much more quickly and easily (without filing a lawsuit.)





If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.





In addition to legal claims, veterans disability, social security and employment protection like workers compensation, FELA and The Jones Act for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.





There is no risk or cost to speak with one of our staff about your asbestos litigation. There are no fees unless you receive money.





If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.





Introducing the largest database of asbestos information on the planet.





W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.




































1 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.



2 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.