Asbestos exposure is an ongoing health concern, largely due to the variety of ways that exposure can take place. One of those ways is in relation to the demolition industry. Here’s what you should know about the recent findings that highlight the growing concern between demolition and its associated risks with asbestos exposure.

Blowing Up Asbestos Is Dangerous

To be fair, most instances of asbestos and demolition are not simply “blowing up asbestos”, but that is in fact what happens. What we are talking about is not an obvious occasion of showing up to an abandoned asbestos mining operation, loading it up with dynamite, and hitting the detonation button. That would certainly capture headlines, largely because anyone who has learned about the health risks of asbestos would agree that blowing it up is probably not a good idea for human health. 

Demolition and renovation can release harmful asbestos fibers into the air.

But what we are considering is something far more conspicuous- conspicuous because it still results in the explosion of asbestos fibers into the surrounding area. What is it that happens to old urban centers, sports stadiums, abandoned neighborhoods, and other structures that have been bought out and have begun to undergo a development and revitalization process? Sometimes they are entirely updated and retrofitted, but quite often, they are demolished. Based on the scope of the work being performed, sometimes the easiest thing for a company to do is to demolish the entire structure and start over with a clean footprint. 

This makes sense, and it is quite frankly a common occurrence for older structures that require more renovations than they’re worth receiving in their current state. The tricky part is, that most of the buildings being demolished in this very real scenario are old buildings, built prior to the ban on asbestos in America in the mid-1980s. In other words, the buildings that are being demolished either by wrecking balls or controlled explosions contain a varying amount of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) within.  

Friable Asbestos and Demolition Concerns

Asbestos-containing materials are essentially harmless to the human body if they are in an undamaged condition. However, when asbestos becomes friable, meaning damaged or broken down in some form, the tiny microscopic fibers that make asbestos exposure such a deadly situation are released into the air where they can be inhaled or swallowed. Some examples of friable asbestos include ACMs with water damage, fire damage, or mold. Of course, this is exactly what is being done to asbestos during demolition projects. 

Testing for the presence of asbestos and using proper methods for abatement

Additionally, when controlled demolitions take place, there is a large amount of energy packed into explosives or even the momentum behind a wrecking ball. That momentum can aggravate the airborne nature of asbestos. In fact, on a windy day, asbestos fibers can be lifted up and spread throughout multiple city blocks. This would not be as bad as it already sounds if it weren’t for the fact people are also vehicles of asbestos contamination. Asbestos fibers can easily attach to clothing, tools, and vehicles, where the fibers are then spread multiple miles away from the exposure site, such as homes. Now, even spouses and children in the home are exposed to asbestos from an entirely unrelated contamination site.

While this entire sequence of events sounds like a worst-case scenario, recent studies show that this kind of widespread exposure risk can and does take place when it comes to demolition projects. In fact, the impact of asbestos exposure related to demolition is more far-reaching than previously believed. 

The Outcome of Exposure

Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is rarely a harmless situation, although it may seem like it for a number of years. This length of time between exposure and symptoms is known as asbestos latency, and it can last as long as four decades and longer from exposure. For many years, someone can go without experiencing any noticeable symptoms associated with asbestos exposure, but over time, the symptoms start to show up. 

When symptoms associated with asbestos exposure are experienced, it is vital to reach out to a professional healthcare provider as soon as possible in order to undergo the necessary testing to determine the diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease or cancer. Not all forms of asbestos diseases are cancerous, but all of them result in a diminished quality of life, including certain forms of cancer like mesothelioma which are terminal. 

Being Proactive With Asbestos Compensation

Getting in touch with a professional asbestos claims attorney as soon as possible can help ensure that you are able to receive compensation to help pay for medical treatments and leave a legacy for loved ones. Sadly, there is a short window of time for cánceres like mesothelioma, so being proactive is one of the most important things to keep in mind. 

Misunderstandings About Asbestos Compensation

Here are two important myths to dispel regarding asbestos compensation and who can qualify:

“I Have to Go to Court”

People often think that the only way to receive compensation for an asbestos-related disease is to win a long, drawn-out court battle. While lawsuits are certainly within the scope of asbestos compensation, they are not the most common way to receive compensation, precisely due to the amount of evidence and time involved. Some cases are clear-cut and can result in the highest possible amount of compensation, but for those with a debilitating disease, time may not be a commodity. 

“I didn’t work with asbestos so I don’t qualify”

Secondly, people may think that only those who worked with asbestos first-hand can qualify for compensation. The good news is, this is also a misnomer. Even spouses and children who were exposed secondarily to asbestos can seek compensation. 

Asbestos Trust Funds

To ensure the fastest and easiest pathway toward financial compensation for asbestos exposure, an asbestos trust claim can be pursued. This option does not require the need to file a lawsuit, but there are certain criteria that must be met in order to qualify. An asbestos claims attorney can help you get all your documentation together and protect you from the unnecessary burden of needing to “figure it all out” by yourself. Reach out to professionals who are here to help you, each step of the way!